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ON 

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From Judaism *o Christianity. 






BY MAI^ LEVY. 



M©L©r©i©i©t©M©T©M©©M©i©m 



SOME THOUGHTS 



Life's Battle: 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 



-* BY MAI^ LEVY*- 



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LOUISVILLE: 

John P. Morton and Company 

1888 



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PREFACE. 



I trust every reader of these pages will accept them in a 
spirit of loving kindness. They are addressed especially to 
Christians by a Christian who desires to see a better feeling 
established between them and the race from which he springs. 
They are not published as a literary effort, but for the pur- 
pose of glorifying God and advancing the spiritual kingdom 
of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus ; by awakening the 
Christian world to a sense of its duty to the Jewish race, and 
in the further hope of bringing to the knowledge of the sin- 
stricken and sorrow-laden the peace and joy to be found by 
accepting the burden-bearer, our Lord and Saviour. 

The thoughts are a faithful record of my spiritual life as 
Jew and Christian. 

I have come forward in the greatest of all causes, viz., in 
the hope of being a peace-maker between those who are wor- 
shiping God under the old and those who are worshiping 
him under the new dispensation. Some may think my method 
is ill-advised, but I have written with all boldness from a 
consciousness of right-wishing. 

I ask the prayers and sympathy of every right-minded 
worshiper of God, Jew or Christian, for the success of my 
effort, and in committing these pages to the guidance of the 
Holy Spirit, I say : Heavenly Father, Thy will not mine be 
done. Yours fraternally, 

The Author. 



TO 

A Most Loving and Self-sacrificing 

These Pages are Dedicated 

by HER 

3£ttectioriate £ajo«. 



COPYRIGHTED, 1888, BY m. levy. 



Should any profit result from the 
sale of this work, it will be devoted 
exclusively to charitable purposes. 

SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE: 

FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions : 
according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' 
sake, Lord.— Psalm xxv, 7. 

With feelings of unbounded thankfulness to Almighty God 
for His abundant mercy and loving kindness to me, I sit 
down to write a brief narrative of my conversion from Juda- 
ism to Christianity, and thereby testify to my faith in the 
power and might, honor and glory of His only begotten son, 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Having in former times 
endeavored to serve Him under the law, when my sins being 
always before me prevented me gaining peace of mind, I am 
now enabled to appreciate in its supremest extent what peace 
and joy there is in serving Him under grace. Oh, for words 
to portray the happiness that enters into one's life when he 
realizes that Christ Jesus died on the cross as a propitiation 
for sinful mankind ! What joy in the knowledge that whoso- 
ever will may wash away his sins in the blood of the Lamb, 
and " thereby worship God in the beauty of holiness"! All 
who accept Christ in sincerity and in truth will testify that 
His spiritual kingdom is one "flowing with milk and honey," 



SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE: 



FEOM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions : 
according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness* 
sake. Lord.— Psalm xxv, 7. 

With feelings of unbounded thankfulness to Almighty God 
for His abundant mercy and loving kindness to me, I sit 
down to write a brief narrative of my conversion from Juda- 
ism to Christianity, and thereby testify to my faith in the 
power and might, honor and glory of His only begotten son, 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Having in former times 
endeavored to serve Him under the law, when my sins being 
always before me prevented me gaining peace of mind, I am 
now enabled to appreciate in its supremest extent what peace 
and joy there is in serving Him under grace. Oh, for words 
to portray the happiness that enters into one's life when he 
realizes that Christ Jesus died on the cross as a propitiation 
for sinful mankind ! What joy in the knowledge that whoso- 
ever will may wash away his sins in the blood of the Lamb, 
and "thereby worship God in the beauty of holiness"! All 
who accept Christ in sincerity and in truth will testify that 
His spiritual kingdom is one "flowing with milk and honey," 



8 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

and that "all its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its 
paths are peace." 

* •%. ifc % %. %. * 

About the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty, 
being under a deep conviction of sin, and feeling under con- 
demnation in the sight of God, I determined I would endeavor 
by His help to lead a pure and holy life. I belonged to the 
Jewish faith, and as a first step connected myself with the 
North London Synagogue, situated in the vicinity of my home, 
in one of the suburbs of London, England. From the first 
I did not find the peace and joy I had expected in my new 
life. That something was required to bring my nature into 
communion with my Heavenly Father was evident, otherwise 
I would not have been conscious of this failure to realize peace 
of mind. It was not occasioned by any lack of effort on my 
part to do my duty. I was a constant attendant at the syna- 
gogue, and in many ways connected myself with charitable 
work. The feeling of disappointment not only applied to 
myself but also to many whom I had always looked up to as 
being strictly religious men, but whom I found on a more in- 
timate acquaintanceship to be guilty of acts I had thought 
impossible in those professing religious feeling. 

The service as conducted in the synagogue I attended was 
almost exclusively in Hebrew, only one lecture or sermon 
each month being delivered in English. In common with most 
of the younger generation of Jews I was not a good Hebrew 
scholar, and came to the conclusion that if a greater part of 
ihe service was read in the vernacular the congregation would 
be enabled to learn more of God's revealed Word. Acting in 
accordance with this thought, at the annual meeting of the 
members of the congregation I moved a resolution that we 
should have the lectures in English more frequently. This 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 9 

resolution was passed unanimously by the meeting, but much 
to my surprise and disappointment it was not carried into 
effect during the following year. Having a very strong opin- 
ion on the subject, at the approach of the next general meet- 
ing I issued the following circular : 

11 Petherton Road, N., April 10, 1883. 
To the Congregation of the North London Synagogue: 

Gentlemen: At our last general meeting I moved the following 
resolution : " That not less than two lectures be delivered each month." 
This was unanimously carried, but no effect has been given to the 
wishes of the congregation embodied in their vote on that occasion, 
and I beg respectfully to inform you I intend moving a similar reso- 
lution at our next general meeting. I shall hold a very strong opin- 
ion as to the desirability of having these lectures more frequently, and 
wish to test the present opinion of the congregation on the subject. 
I ask you, as a personal favor, to read the arguments I used on the last 
occasion, and earnestly solicit your support and vote. 

Yours faithfully, 

Mark Levy. 

" Without doubt religious lectures refine and elevate the moral 
tone of our characters, and are calculated to develop all those better 
thoughts and feelings that lie latent within us, and which are an in- 
herent part of our nature. They substitute a better for a poorer class 
of thought, and thereby tend to make our life happier and worthier. 
They teach us charitableness in its noblest form, by prompting us to 
give in thankfulness for the many benefits we enjoy, rather than from 
those meaner and narrower impulses which have for their object a sel- 
fish reason or a motive. They teach us to be tolerant of the faults 
and follies of others, because they prove that even the greatest among 
us are not entirely free from temptation and guile. In sorrow and 
misfortune they bid us hope when we should otherwise despair, by 
showing that those circumstances we often deplore as our direst calam- 
ities sometimes prove to be our greatest blessings. 

11 If we agree as to the beneficent influence that these lectures 
have on our characters, then to every reasoning mind will be obvious 



10 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

the necessity of having them frequently. To those who have always 
led a strictly religious life this may not appear so conclusive, but they 
are required for those who have not done this, but are exploring, as 
it were, new and unknown regions, and, having struck on the correct 
path, require a guide or a landmark to keep them from deviating from 
the beaten track; and then, to be of lasting good, these landmarks 
should be placed at such regular and frequent intervals that there 
would be no fear of losing sight of one before another appears in 
view. And I maintain that the most efficacious way of facilitating 
this much-to-be-desired result is by having these lectures more fre- 
quently. They are to the Prayer-book and the Bible what a key is 
to an. ordinary school-book, because they explain and clear from mys- 
tery many of those circumstances relating to our observances and 
traditions, on the subject of which we should otherwise remain in ig- 
norance, from the simple fact that the loss of too much time is in- 
volved in personal reference and research * This would not apply 
so directly to those greater events in our history, which, from the very 
immensity of their importance, leave an indelible impression on our 
minds, and which few of us fail to commemorate by religious ob- 
servance, but to those lesser links in the chain of events, which, though 
not in themselves of vital importance, are in their aggregation the 
great strength and basis of our religious belief, and the commemo- 
ration of which by most of us are gradually falling into desuetude. 
Therefore the necessity is greater now than at any previous period in 
our history of keeping before the minds of the younger members of 
the congregation, in a manner that is intelligible to them, the truths 
of our religion, and the necessity is even greater of supporting these 
truths by conclusive evidence. In times gone by, when we were 
mostly congregated within a restricted radius and our habitations were 
contiguous to our schools and synagogues, it naturally followed that 
the influence that was inculcated by examples from our earliest in- 
fancy was sufficiently powerful to instill into our minds, for our relig- 
ious observances, that reverence, without which in the past ' they 
would never have weathered the storms of time.' Now, to a great 
extent, this is altered. "With an increase of general prosperity, and 
with a greater scope for indulgence in social intercourse with our 

• I would explain there is no command in the Bible for many of the Jewish 
observances. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 11 

neighbors of different religious beliefs, we have witnessed a lessening 
in that regard for our own religious education that every true Jew 
can not but deplore. One simple fact will illustrate this assertion. 
Formerly nearly every Jew would have been able to repeat from 
memory any prayer. Now, this is not so. Formerly, being unable 
to do so would have been quoted as a personal shame. Now, it is 
more general than otherwise, and does not occasion so much uneasi- 
ness as being unable to answer a difficult mathematical question. In 
my opinion the influence of these lectures, which appeal more forcibly 
to our understanding and intelligence than. do the constant reiteration 
of our prayers, will gradually lessen and finally eradicate that indif- 
ference into which the youth of the present generation are drifting 
with respect to the minor observances that our religion imposes on us. 

"The true aim of religious ceremony is to define and make clear 
to our understanding the duty and obligation w T e owe to the Almighty 
and to one another. Therefore, unless our services appeal to our in- 
telligence they accomplish no permanent good. And .this, I assert, 
they do not do. They have only a negative influence. But if, by the 
aid of these lectures, we render them intelligible, then, without a will- 
ful stifling of conscientious scruples, they can not fail to prompt us to 
strive for the attainment of those best qualities of mind and heart, the 
possession of which can alone bring true happiness. 

"Our services in their primary objects are analogous with those of 
the Christian churches, and if they should think it necessary, even 
with the great advantage they possess, by being enabled to say their 
prayers in the vernacular to further enhance their intelligibility by 
the aid of these lectures, how much greater must the necessity be in 
our own case, when our prayers, as we are obliged to say them, are 
unintelligible to more than a moiety of the congregation. Without 
their aid our services entirely fail to impress us with their true mean- 
ing and object, but by their aid we are enabled to interpret our relig- 
ion in conformity with its widest and truest principles. 

"I do not wish to be understood or accused of hypocrisy; I am 
simply expressing the opinion of one who has not always led a relig- 
ious life; nor do I now profess to perform every religious observance, 
but from this very fact I am enabled to appreciate the immensity of 
good these lectures will accomplish. And I would also ask you to 



12 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

view this question from a worldly stand-point. Let the dominant 
feeling be whether or not they will conduce to the eventual benefit, 
welfare, and happiness of your children. They keep before their 
minds in an intelligible form right as opposed to wrong. They will 
train them to a strict integrity, an unfailing charity, a wide tolerance, 
and an unbounded sympathy for sorrow and suffering; and to develop 
or call from dormancy these virtues, our prayers, as we say them, have 
not the power. 

" It is with a certain amount of diffidence that I have come for- 
ward on what may be considered a personal idea and wish, but I 
feel assured in construing my motives that that tolerance which is 
always tendered to a young member of a community who comes for- 
ward in what he conceives to be the welfare of the general body, 
would be extended to me, even should my opinion prove erroneous, 
and it would also be sufficient to dispel any illusion that might exist 
in the minds of those gentlemen who form the executive as to a de- 
sire to arrogate to myself, in suggesting an innovation of this descrip- 
tion, that position which they might think belongs exclusively to 
themselves." 

vl* vl-» v!^ *J> vL* *Jy vL* vL» 

^^ *f% *y+ *Y* *p» *j*> *y+ ^* 

One of our ministers had died a few months before this 
was written — not the one who had delivered the lectures — 
and it became necessary that another should be chosen to fill 
his place. Our congregation was made up of two parties, 
German and English. Several ministers had appeared before 
us, and the selection had narrowed itself down to two, one 
a German, who had just arrived in England, and another, 
also a German, but who had resided in England from baby- 
hood, in fact he was virtually an Englishman. The choice of 
the English party naturally rested on the latter. The Ger- 
man party selected the former. As no unanimous decision 
could be arrived at it was decided to have an election. Com- 
mittees were formed for the purpose of furthering the candi- 
dature of the selected ministers, and I was appointed the 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 13 

Honorary Secretary of the committee of the English party, 
and the meetings in connection with the election were held 
at my mother's house. However, before the day fixed for 
the election arrived, a minister connected with the most im- 
portant synagogue in London died, and our candidate re- 
ceived a call to fill this position, and, acting in accordance 
with our advice, he accepted it. 

In connection with the election much ill feeling had been 
displayed, and as the Secretary of the English party I was 
made the center of much ill-natured criticism, especially in 
connection with the circular I had just issued in reference 
to revision of the ritual. I would mention, nearly every exec- 
utive officer of the synagogue was connected with the Ger- 
man party. 

Smarting under the injustice, and feeling convinced, after 
a struggle of over two years' duration, that I should never find 
happiness in the Jewish religion, I determined to seek this 
elsewhere, and decided to sever my connection with my old 
faith, and thereupon addressed the following circular to the 
congregation : 

11 Petherton Road, N., May 1, 1883. 
To the Members of the North London Synagogue: 

Gentlemen: At our last general meeting I moved a resolution that 
not less than two lectures be delivered each month. This was unani- 
mously carried, but no ^attention has been given to the wishes of the 
congregation. I had a very strong opinion on the subject, and believe 
also that the preponderance of opinion on the question was in accord 
with my own; and having knowledge that our minister was not un- 
willing to carry our wishes into effect, the question naturally suggested 
itself to my mind, Why is it that a potent influence for good is not 
utilized to its fullest extent? Acting in accord with these ideas, I 
sent out a circular stating I intended again coming forward in the 
matter. 

I would ask you to believe I acted from purely conscientious 



14 SOME THOUGHTS OX LIFE'S BATTLE. 

motives, and assumed that within God's house at least all personal 
feeling, all antagonism, every motive that had its inception in per- 
sonal dislike or friendly bias would be put aside, and that religious 
questions would be discussed in conformity with the precepts of relig- 
ious teaching; that is, I thought every one would express his opinion 
according to his conscience and convictions, credit others with doing 
likewise, and show the greatest tolerance for the opinions of those 
who differed from himself. 

I came forward uninfluenced by any wish to interfere with or 
force my opinion on those gentlemen, who were perhaps, from their 
age and from the length of service spent in the interest of the congre- 
gation, better qualified than myself to guide and influence those who 
take but a transitory interest in religious affairs. I did not lose sight 
of this fact for one moment, but bearing in mind that the resolution 
was unanimously adopted last year, that our minister was not unwill- 
ing to carry it into effect, and having some doubts as to the present 
wishes of the congregation in the matter, I was justified and acted 
in perfect accord with the dictates of common sense, in endeavoring 
to influence the minds of the congregation before again bringing the 
subject on for discussion ; therefore I am not, as was said in your com- 
mittee-room by one of your committee-men, a mad-man for having 
suggested this innovation. None can correctly say what is the atmos- 
phere surrounding the inner lives of their fellow men. None knows 
what reason, what motive, or what accident of circumstances prompts 
another to each separate action of his career; but, be it joy or be it 
sorrow that influenced me, I always endeavored to be as I appeared 
to be, and I wished all to be as I wished to be, viz., a true Jew, with 
the respect and esteem of my fellow-men. If this be significant of 
madness, I am willing to admit I am mad. If that gentleman had 
kept before his mind this thought, Express your opinion accordingly 
to your conscience and convection and give others credit for doing 
likewise, then I think he would have shown a greater tolerance than 
he has displayed for the opinion of one who differed from himself and 
who utilized the only means possible for expressing his ideas, and 
then he would have disdained to make remarks that could not fail to 
be hurtful even though they redounded to his own discredit. 

Instead of the exercise of this mutual tolerance, what feeling do 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 15 

we- find existent among us? A disposition to credit those who take 
an interest in religious matters with every motive but that which is 
good and honorable. I for one can thoroughly understand that two 
men can have an opinion on the same subject opposed to each other, 
and still both be acting according to their conscience and their con- 
victions. 

I had come to the conclusion that those men I had always looked 
up to as conscientious, religious men did not possess those qualities I 
thought they should have, and I conceived that the influence of these 
lectures on the minds of the younger generation would call from dor- 
mancy qualities that are conspicuous by their absence in the older 
generation. I had come to the conclusion that there existed less tol- 
erance, less real charity, and far less sympathy for sorrow and suffer- 
ing among those who profess religious feeling than among those who 
do not make any such profession, but I was willing to be convinced 
of my error if error it be. 

It is now three weeks since the circular was issued. Since then I 
have come in contact with many members of the congregation, and 
how correct my conclusions are has been forcibly impressed on my 
mind. Instead of mutual tolerance I have heard none but the most 
unworthy motives assigned to those who have taken part in the can- 
vass for the election of our minister. 

There are those among the congregation with whom I have spent 
many happy hours. Some well know I have always endeavored to 
act in accordance with my conscience and convictions. They now 
prompt me to inform you I intend to renounce Judaism and embrace 
Christianity. There are many things in the religion I fail to under- 
stand, and the feelings that animate the majority of those who profess 
to be religious are not such as I conceive religion should develop, and 
all will agree that that which is a source of sorrow should be struck 
out of one's life. , 

Immediately on the appearance of this circular I received 
many visits and letters of sympathy from friends and stran- 
gers. I had issued it in a moment of irritation, and while 
smarting under a sense of unjust treatment, but without the 
slightest knowledge of the truths of the Christian religion. 



16 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

Under the benign influence of sympathy and expressions of 
kindness on all sides, and after a visit to the chief Babbi, I 
was convinced I had acted thoughtlessly, and thereupon, at 
his request, I sent out another circular to the congregation, 
stating I would never renounce the Jewish religion.* I 
would mention I had been on one of the committees of the 
Jewish Board of Guardians for some time. This board is 
one of the noblest and best organized charitable institutions 
in the world, and most of the best and noblest of the English 
Jews are connected with it. Immediately on sending out the 
circular, announcing my intention to renounce Judaism, I 
sent a letter to the chairman of the committee, resigning my 
position. In response I received a most kindly-worded letter, 
acknowledging valuable services, and asking me, as a per- 
sonal favor, to withdraw my resignation. 

While I could not fail to be gratified at the expressions of 
sympathy that were showered on me, still the painful expe- 
riences I had gone through left me in a state of mind gloomy 
in the extreme. I had made a sincere effort to do my duty 
in the sight of God and man, and the result was a miserable 
failure. I was disappointed alike in myself and others. For 
a few weeks I continued attending the synagogue, but finally 
gave up doing so altogether. 

I will not dwell on the experiences of the next few months, 
but I will simply say I endeavored to drown my sorrow by 
indulging in every species of excitement, and it appeared as 
if I was to reap a fitting reward, inasmuch as during this pe- 
riod I was overtaken by many disappointments and misfor- 
tunes through causes over which I had no control. 

At last in my sorrow and despair I commenced attending 

*As a Christian I have the consolation of knowing I have not done this— 
one being the fulfillment of the other. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 17 

church, and from the very first the service had a most sooth- 
ing influence on my mind, especially the singing, and I could 
say then as now : 

I go into the house of God, 

And hear the sweet hymn swelling high, 
And heart and soul in glad accord 
. Unite to say no sin is nigh. 

If it was for the purpose of hearing the singing that I first 
continued attending, I soon found that the prayers and ser- 
mons were appealing to my heart and conscience with the full 
force of truth, and after much hesitation I commenced reading 
the New Testament. Its sublime teachings impressed me 
most powerfully, and many questions I had been asking my- 
self all my life I found answered therein. The verses that 
struck me most forcibly were those of St. Paul, Rom. vii, 19- 
25 : " For the good that I would I do not : but the evil which 
I would not that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is 
no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find 
then a law, that, when I would do good evil is present with 
me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. 
But I See another law in my members, warring against the 
law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of 
sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am ! who 
shall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God 
through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

I had been continually asking myself, why should man be 
held responsible for sin, considering he is born in sin ? In 
the present day the Jews make no sin-offering to God as a 
propitiation for their transgressions. It is true they fast one 
day in the year as an atonement, but the feeling with me was 
one of continued suspense during the greater part of the year. 

2 



18 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

It was therefore like a revelation to me to read in Rom. v, 
18-21 : ' w Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came 
upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the righteousness 
of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of 
life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made 
sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made 
righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might 
abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more 
abound : that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might 
grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus 
Christ our Lord," 

Finding my nature was in perfect sympathy with the 
teachings of the Christian religion, and also finding I expe- 
rienced a peace and joy during the services in the churches 
never before known, I finally determined, despite my prom- 
ise to the chief Rabbi, to embrace the Christian religion, but 
taking this promise into consideration, and wishing to spare 
the feelings of my relatives, I decided to leave England be- 
fore making a public proclamation of my faith, and with this 
thought uppermost in my mind I started for Australia. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 19 



CHAPTER II. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteous- 
ness : for they shall be filled.— Matt, v, 6. 

After an affectionate parting with my old friends and rela- 
tives—and it is a source of supreme satisfaction to me at the 
present time to know I still possess their love and confidence — I 
started on my voyage for the new world, where I expected, on 
my arrival, to start a new life in a new religion. The day was 
gloomy in the extreme, and appeared to be in perfect sym- 
pathy with the condition of my mind. I was leaving a 
mother and sisters bowed down with sorrow at the thought 
that I might never return, and their grief was aggravated 
by the knowledge that it was my intention to renounce the 
religion of my father ; and I could not fail to realize what a 
source of anxiety I had been to them for some considerable 
time, and through it all they had displayed the most consid- 
erate loving kindness, and had endeavored by every means 
that affection could suggest to assuage my sorrow; but all 
their efforts had been in vain, and I was convinced they would 
continue to be so. The intense mental struggle I had un- 
dergone had made its influence felt on my bodily health, and 
I will sum up my condition at that time by saying I do not 
think there could possibly have been in any part of the globe 
a more miserably despondent being than myself. 

It is my intention to refer only to those events of the voy- 
age that had an influence on my thoughts as far as concerns 
my religious life. For the first few days I was too unwell to 
take note of what was transpiring, but the following lines, writ- 
ten about a week after leaving home, will convey a true im- 
pression of my thoughts. They are taken from my journal, 
as are all the thoughts in verse that will appear herein : 



20 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

MEMORIES. 

As I watched the wild surging waves, all crested with foam, 

From the ship that was bearing me far, far from my home, 

And listened to the ceaseless flit and flap of the sail, 

Shook into rapid motion by the fast rising gale, 

And then gazed across the boundless stretch of the ocean, 

While feeling distress from its quick, billowy motion, 

My restless mind slowly wandered back over the past, 

And sadness tinged ev'ry thought, for had I not cast 

Over the lives of the loved ones left far, far behind 

A shadow, and they had been ever wondrously kind ; 

But mother dear, and sisters all, regret not I left, 

Had I stayed I may have been of sanity bereft. 

I was not glad to leave, but ray heart was filled with gall, 

The memory of the past hung o'er me like a pall ; 

I forget not your loving efforts my sorrow to amend, 

But on old familiar scenes success would not attend, 

No earthly hand could minister to my disease of mind, 

For memory with iron bands gloomy thoughts did bind ; 

I felt the seeds of madness were growing in my brain, 

And the only way to kill them an4 remove the strain 

Was to fly the scenes of sorrow, and in distant climes 

Renew my youth of gladness ! the peace of other times. 

Away then, thoughts of sadness ! away then, dull despair! 

Let not mem'ries of the past o'ershadow hope so fair ; 

I have the world before me, the future is my own, 

In fertile ground of grief experience buds have grown, 

Then the follies of the past my future shall redeem, 

And past long hours of darkness be changed to sunny beam. 

Oh gallant ship, speed fast to that far, far distant shore, 

And mother dear, and sisters all, pray regret no more. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 21 

We had on board as passengers several clergymen of differ- 
ent denominations, and at table I was seated next to the 
family of one belonging to the Church of England. I 
soon became very friendly, and made a confidant of him, 
and he was at all times most sympathetic, but I was sur- 
prised to find what a want of sympathy and friendly inter- 
course existed between the various clergymen. Every Sun- 
day we bad two and sometimes three services, and most of 
the passengers attended. For a time I regarded most of 
them as being religious, but I very soon found out the differ- 
ence between attending service and being such. I will be 
very brief, and simply say that on my arrival in Australia, 
after a six-weeks' intercourse with so-called Christian people 
and a careful summing up of their actions and sayings, I 
came to the conclusion that the Jewish character, with all its 
faults, was superior to the Christian, and I determined to 
make another effort to lead a pure and holy life as a Jew. 
Many considerations led me to this conclusion. In the first 
place, I made the mistake of judging the religion of Christ 
by its so-called professors, and of thinking every Gentile 
was a Christian; in the second place, after a long sea 
voyage, I was in a perfect condition of bodily health, and 
my mind had received exhilaration from a thorough change 
of life and scene, and, beyond this, I thought of the excess- 
ive sorrow it would cause my beloved mother and sisters if 
they knew I had really embraced the Christian religion- 
They had said, when I informed them that such was my in- 
tention, that they did not believe I would ever do so. But 
one of the most powerful considerations that influenced me 
was this: Although I found great peace and joy in attending 
the services and admired the pure, teachings of Christ, I was 
not at this period convinced of his divinity, and I also 



22 SOME THOUGHTS OX LIFE'S BATTLE. 

thought that possibly the reason I had failed to find peace in 
the Jewish religion was because I had tailed to do my duty 
in following out all its precepts and teachings. In all this I 
was perfectly honest with God and myself, as I think the 
following lines from my journal will convince any unpreju- 
diced mind : 

LIXES, 

OX MAKING ANOTHER EFFORT TO LEAD A PURE LIFE WITHOUT 

CHRIST. 

On the distant shores I have landed 
With my gloomy thoughts disbanded, 
Body and mind to health restored, 
All venom from my heart outpoured. 

Tis like awakening from a sleep 
Where evil dreams their revels keep, 
The dawn much fairer does appear 
In contrast to past dread and fear. 

Above the sun bright is glowing. 

Thro' my mind bright thoughts are flowing, 

All around seems conspired to tell 

The past to grieve has lost its spell. 

The clouds have all passed away, 
And now to God I humbly pray, 
For strength past follies to avoid, 
That peace and hope be not destroyed. 

O Father, give me strength of will. 
All debasing desires to kill ; 
Most humbly for thy help I plead, 
From evil thoughts let me be freed; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 23 

Thy Holy Word make me revere, 
May heart and soul be pure and clear, 
And may my future be the bond 
I prepare for the great beyond. 

And mother dear, and sisters all, 

If you can not myself recall, 

My peace may consolation be, 

Believe my thoughts still dwell with thee. 

Soon after my arrival in Sydney, Australia, I became 
acquainted with many of the best Jewish families there, 
including that of the chief Rabbi, whose home I visited, 
and I shall never forget the excessive kindness and hospi- 
tality that was extended to me by almost every one to whom 
I was introduced. This stands out in bold relief when I con- 
trast it with the reception I subsequently met with from the 
Christian people. 

I became a constant attendant at the synagogue, and at 
first I felt contented, but after a time the old doubts and con- 
sequent distress of mind revived, and, despite my earnest de- 
sire to lead a pure and holy life, the result was a repetition of 
that I had led in England. I occasionally attended church 
and always found a calm and pure pleasure in the service, but 
still I could not conscientiously say I believed in the divinity 
of Christ, and, failing in this, I had no desire to sever myself 
from the Jewish people. At last I decided to leave Austra- 
lia and proceed to America. The many kindnesses I received 
in Australia has left in my heart an affection for that country 
and people that nothing will ever dispel. Advance, bright 
and happy land, from prosperity to prosperity, from honor to 
honor, from glory to glory — but in hospitality this thou canst 
never do ; you have reached the highest standard. 






24 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

HOSPITALITY. 

In Australia, glorious sunny land! 
The folks receive with open hand 
The stranger from both far and near, 
And strive by endless, friendly cheer 
To render happy and content 
The lives of those whom fortune sent 
From home, kind friends, and kindred dear. 
Convincing proof that they revere 
Inspiring stories that were told 
By wanderers in days of old. 
Traditions that we all are taught, 
How those who health or fortune sought, 
And thus in British isles did rove, 
Met with firm friendship. It does prove 
The kindly spirit has not died 
That with your fathers did abide. 
Kindness in brightness sheds a ray 
O'er wanderers' lives to allay 
The craving for old scenes and race ; 
Thus bright thoughts morbid ones displace, 
The loving kindness I receive 
' Half induces me not to leave 
Your sunny, hospitable land. 

On the voyage to America I had the pleasure and good for- 
tune to meet the Rev. G. O. Barnes and his family. They 
had been on an evangelical tour around the world, and were 
returning to their native country. I soon became very 
friendly with them, and although I did not breathe a word as to 
the struggle that was going on in my mind, I took every op- 
portunity of leading the conversation to religious subjects. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 25 

Mr. Barnes being very interested in the Jewish race, this be- 
came a very easy matter, and many long and interesting talks 
we had as to their past and future. This was the first real 
opportunity I had of studying pure Christianity in its every- 
day life, and the hope and faith in our Saviour displayed by 
them, coupled with the evident happiness and perfect peace 
of their inner lives, had a very important influence on my 
subsequent proceedings. 

On my arrival in San Francisco I delivered some letters 
of introduction to Jewish people there, and I received similar 
hospitable treatment to that accorded to me by every one in 
Australia. I dwell on this fact because I desire my Jewish 
brethren should know that I do not forget their loving kind- 
ness to me, a stranger, and that my affection for them is 
stronger now than ever before. But simple human kindness 
would not give me the peace of mind I was in search of, and 
so I determined to proceed after Mr. Barnes and his family. 
I overtook them in Chicago, and regretted very much to hear 
that they had arranged to leave next day. I thereupon told 
Mr. Barnes I desired to enter into a Christian family for the 
purpose of seeing what their home-life was like. He intro- 
duced me to a lady friend, and the arrangement was that I 
should take up my abode with her the following Saturday. 
On that day I forwarded my baggage from the hotel, but on 
arriving at the house the lady could not receive me in conse- 
quence of illness. It appears she had written to me to this 
effect, but the letter had not been delivered. I was feeling 
very ill myself from the exceeding heat of the weather, and 
in my disappointment I determined to return to Australia, and 
within a week was on my way back. It is impossible for me 
to portray in language the struggle that was going on in my 
mind during the whole of this time. I sought *to allay it by 



26 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

indulging in every form of excitement, but this only tended 
to increase my misery. At last, after a continuous inward 
warfare of nearly three years, and having become convinced 
from my association with the Barnes family that Jesus w T as 
the promised Messiah, and recognizing that my only hope of 
happiness was in publicly acknowledging the fact, I deter- 
mined to do so. 

I called on a minister who had just arrived in Australia 
from the neighborhood in England where I formerly resided 
and whom I knew by repute, and sought his advice. After 
consulting with him he thought it best, as I intended return- 
ing to America, to postpone my baptism until I arrived there, 
and on my departure gave me a letter of introduction to a 
ministerial friend residing in New York. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 27 



CHAPTER III. 

Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest.— Matt, xi, 28. For God so loved the world that 
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeih in him 
should not perish, but have everlasting life.— John iii, 16 This 
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
Jesus came into the world to save sinners : of whom 1 am chief. 
Tim. i, 15. My little children, these things write 1 unto you, that 
ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the 
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.— I John ii, 1, 

On arriving in New York 1 delivered the letter of intro- 
duction, but had no reason to feel gratified with the reception 
given me. While in Australia I had heard from American 
friends very much favorable talk of Philadelphia, and at once 
proceeded there, where I was baptized on the twenty-third 
day of January, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven. The 
following is a copy of a speech made at the Young Men's 
Christian Association immediately afterwards : 

"In rising to address you, I am filled with a supreme joy 
and an unbounded thankfulness to Almighty God that he has 
spared me until this time, thus enabling me to proclaim my 
belief in the Godhead of his only begotten Son, our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and to testify to my faith in the infinite power 
and glory of his holy name. In one respect, I believe my 
position differs from that of any one present, inasmuch as I 
was born in the Jewish faith. Now, no one realizes more 
fully than I do the odium that usually attaches to any who is 
an apostate from the faith of his fathers. I remember it is 
not many years since I would have stigmatized such a deed 
as an act of the greatest cowardice, and one having its incep- 
tion in motives the reverse of pure and holy. I have now 
altered this opinion, and what I say to-day I wish to be ac- 
cepted as a justification of my conscientiousness. 



28 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

Suppose a young man is living in a country where gener- 
ation after generation of his forefathers have lived and died. 
This country is far away from the large centers of popula- 
tion ; but the gradual spread of education and culture has at 
last reached this far-off region, and has awakened in his 
mind a restless, indescribable craving that nothing in his sur- 
roundings can satisfy. He does not know exactly what he 
requires. All he can define is that he is thoroughly unset- 
tled, and that there has been engendered an all-powerful 
desire to see for himself those great countries and wonders of 
the world of which he has heard and read so much. H« has 
sufficient ambition and courage to go on a journey of ex- 
ploration, and, after encountering much hardship and dan- 
ger, at last arrives in a country which more than real- 
izes his most sanguine expectations. He settles down, be- 
comes very successful, and is soon enabled to gratify every 
desire, and is, moreover, enabled to bring his relatives, his 
old friends and companions, into the same glorious land, 
which is abundant enough to support millions of people. I 
ask you, one and all, Would you call that man a traitor to 
his country or a deserter of his friends, because he had suffi- 
cient courage to brave danger and undergo hardship in the 
hope of gaining a bright and happy future he knew could 
never be realized by remaining in the land of his forefathers? 

And is it not the same with the soul's longings ? Have 
we not this same restless, indescribable, spiritual craving? 
Have we not, nearly every one of us, an ever-abiding con- 
scious sense of sin? Does this not produce first sorrow, then 
despondency, then despair? And, if we have no religion to 
sustain us, do we not run into all manner of dissipations in 
the hope of gaining relief or forgetfulness ? This was some- 
what of my position. At last I fly to religion for a solace ; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 20 

and I find religion as taught by the Jews neither confers con- 
solation in sorrow nor does it give one strength to resist 
temptation. I read the Bible, and find man is born in sin ; 
but I find no justification. You must understand, I had not 
read the gospel ; and, in the present day, the Jews have no 
temple wherein they can make sin offerings to God as a pro- 
pitiation for their transgressions. Time after time, I asked, 
Why should man be held responsible ? I received no satis- 
factory answer, and was filled with a great sorrow, knowing 
my own weakness. 

I had heard of a religion beyond — the religion of the 
Christian. Here, I was told, those who were sorrowful or 
distressful found consolation ; those who were burdened with 
sin found a justification, and those who were weak found a 
great strength to resist temptation by faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ. In my despair, I resolved to explore this new spirit- 
ual country. I commenced attending church and reading the 
gospel, and, after a prolonged struggle, the light of the glo- 
rious truth was made evident ; and, in accepting this great 
truth of God in full, abiding faith, I gained, as I was prom- 
ised, a consolation for my sorrow, a justification from my 
sins, and a great strength to resist temptation. 

I ask you, one and all, would it not have been worse than 
madness for me to have refused this great salvation ? 

I am thankful, having found grace in God's sight, that he 
has made the truth evident to me ; and it is as clear and 
bright to my soul's sight as the noonday sun of a fine sum- 
mer's day is clear and bright to all who will not refuse to 
look. I thank God he thought best to take me by the 
by-path of sorrow, through the valleys of despond and de- 
spair, into that glorious country where you can feel, as it 
were, the near presence of the Saviour, standing with out- 



30 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

stretched hands and a glorious smile on his face, ready to 
welcome repentant sinners. No one who has not experienced 
this feeling can realize the supreme rapture of the moment 
when the heart bounds with joy at feeling the nearness of 
this glorious presence, and when the rarefied atmosphere sur- 
rounding the inner life caused thereby makes the soul expand 
in bliss in anticipation of joys to come. It would take the 
combined eloquence of every preacher in Christendom, and 
then they would fail to portray the blissful, serene content- 
ment that falls into one's life when he first realizes the full 
meaning of those words, " My Redeemer and my Saviour;" 
when in every fiber, heart, soul, mind, and spirit combine, and 
go forth in glad accord to meet and accept in faith that gra- 
cious invitation, " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest." No pulpit oratory 
can possibly convey the faintest idea of the restful happiness 
that remains with you, if you accept the promise in full, 
abiding faith. The greater the soul's sin, the greater the joy. 
The greater the sinner, the kinder and more gracious the 
welcome. 

Understand, I did not arrive at this conclusion until after 
a prolonged struggle. My un happiness was not occasioned 
by the want of good and kind relatives and friends, nor 
for lack of resource of amusement without myself. It was 
occasioned by the ever- abiding, conscious sense of sin with- 
in, and the knowledge of my weakness and inability to 
overcome this. In accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as my 
Redeemer and Saviour, I gained that peace that passeth all 
understanding; and now, after years of sorrow, I am looking 
forward to a bright and happy future and a life of usefulness 
to my fellow-men. 

In embracing the Christian religion, I do not renounce 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 31 

the faith of my fathers. I retain this, and accept the Lord 
Jesus as the promised Kedeemer and Saviour. I accept 
the Bible and the gospel as the inspired word of God, 
without the slightest reservation and in the fullest possible 
faith. 

There is one circumstance I can not allow to pass unmen- 
tioned. I had to struggle between separating myself from 
my Saviour or from my beloved mother and sisters — a mother 
and sisters of whom any son or brother might well feel proud, 
and who love me as fondly and dearly as son and brother 
were ever loved ; a mother whose image is entwined around 
my heart's core by the remembrance of a thousand kind- 
nesses ; a mother who lives entirely for her children, and 
whom this deed of mine will grieve long and deeply. I sepa- 
rate myself from my darling sisters, who in a time of great 
sorrow displayed in a hundred different ways the most 
considerate loving kindness, and who are at this moment 
anxiously awaiting my expected arrival in England. But 
this does not depress me. I can only hope, by the grace of 
God and by the power of this love, that they will eventually 
be brought into the only true faith. 

In conclusion, I would say, as a Christian, I hold out the 
hand of good fellowship to all men, Jew and Christian ; to 
the Jews especially, in consideration of the kindness and hos- 
pitality I have received wherever I have been in England, 
Australia, and America. 

And, finally, in this my public proclamation of Christian- 
ity, I ask forgiveness and pardon of any I have injured or 
offended. 

Those who have injured or offended me I freely forgive. 
If, through any example, deed, or influence of mine any one 
has been brought within the circle of sin, I pray earnestly to 



32 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

God he will no longer let the effect of this example have do- 
minion over him, and that one and all may.be brought to his 
service through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

THE FLOWING FOUNTAIN. 

To the fountain of gospel truth to drink a sinner came, 
He was told it had been raised in a blessed Saviour's name. 
Where flowing the waters of God's sweet and infinite love, 
He might wash pure and white the crimson mantle of sin he 

wove. 
Deep from these waters he drank until a healing shower 
Flowed o'er his sin-scarred soul with infinite soothing power, 
And his restless heart was calmed by the sweet spirit of love 
As angel whispers came from the far-off regions above. 
One gentle voice in loving tones was pleading, Come to me ; 
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners such as thee. 
Tell me, " What shall a man give in exchange for his own 

soul?" 
These w T ords went sounding through his mind with clear and 

ringing toll ; 
'Tis the toll of death to evil, his soul responsive cries, 
And a whispered joy from angels, an echo sweet replies ; 
Then he felt his immortal soul from the scars of sin was 

healed 
As the gentle guiding voice with such loving force appealed ; 
Deeper from the fountain he drank with spirit of pure de- 
light 
When he found these waters of truth flowed from a sea of 

light, 
Then this sea of light led to a haven of perfect rest 
Where the winds blew pure and sweet from the mountains of 

the blest; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 



33 






Now his bark of life serenely moves o'er a glassy sea — 
No more tossed on waves of sin, his faith has set him free, 
And an air of joy urges him the gladsome hews to tell 
To brother, sister, and erring one, he is saved from hell. 
The hell on earth, the hell beyond, gives him no piercing 

pang, 
The serpent still may hiss and hiss, it has no poisoned fang, 
And far and wide this gladsome news he joyfully has spread, 
That to this flowing fountain other sinners may be led. 






34 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 



CHAPTER IV. 

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy 
of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is 
not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and fol- 
loweth after me, is not worthy of me.— Matt, x, 37, 38. 

I do not think I can better describe my feeling after bap- 
tism than by saying it was one of sorrowful happiness. Hap- 
piness in the thought that I stood justified in the sight of 
God, in realizing my sins had been washed away in the blood 
of the Lamb. Sorrow, in the knowledge that my action 
would cause the most excessive pain and grief to my beloved 
mother and sisters. No one outside the Jewish faith can re- 
alize the sorrow that surges over the heart of a Jew or Jew- 
ess when he or she receives information that a relative has 
embraced Christianity; and it is to them that words of sym- 
pathy should be addressed. The convert, if he realizes the 
full truth of the Christian religion, possesses a peace and joy 
that nothing can take away. His relatives can not understand 
this, and regard him as being condemned in the sight of God 
and man, and by every orthodox Jew he is shunned as deserv- 
ing the utmost contempt. Recollecting my feeling of former 
days toward converts, I shall never condemn or resent the ac- 
tion of any sincere Jew toward myself, and while it can not 
but be a source of pain to hear contemptuous remarks, I sym- 
pathize with and excuse their feeling. 

On the night following my baptism I found it impossible 
to rest, from thinking how I should best break the news to 
my beloved mother and sisters. By various hints I had pre- 
pared them for my action. Some people might think it 
would have been more considerate to have kept the knowl- 
edge from them, but I did not think I was justified in doing 
this when I read the words of St. Paul, Rom. x, 10 : " For 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 35 

with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with 
the mouth confession is made unto salvation." In the middle 
of the night, finding I could not sleep, I arose from my bed 
and wrote the following lines : 

PEACE AND LOVE. 

I send you a message of perfect peace and love, 
A peace that is certain, as it comes from above, 
A love boundless as air and as deep as the sea, 
For both have been heaven sent and never can flee. 
Oh, mother beloved, with thy bright bonnie face, 
For me still it has charms, I recall its sweet grace, 
I forget not thy goodness, thy deep tender heart; 
None truly know mother's love 'till from her they part. 

My bright darling, L , I also know thy worth, 

I have loved thee fondly right onward since thy birth, 
Many charming girls I meet, traveling far and near^ 
None in all my rambles to equal thee, my dear, 

I remember E , too, pensive, quiet, and grave, 

Oft I have thought of thee when on the bounding wave ; 

Bonnie C , happy nature, joyous, and gay, 

The cadence of thy laugh still sings. an untold lay; 

My kindly gentle J , what shall I say of thee, 

Many a good lesson unknowing you taught me ; 

And winsome, winsome F , who can withstand thy 

charms — 
Spoiled, teased, and petted since you left your nurse's arms. 
To all I send this message, perfect peace and love ; 
Peace and love both certain as coming from above. 
Let not what I have done draw tears from thy bright eyes, 
For none could be more happy under smiling skies. 
Jesus said, If you be heavy laden, come unto me, 



36 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

I will bear your burden, hope and rest give to thee. 
My best beloved, if you read you will also find 
Our Heav'nly Father sent his Son to save mankind. 
The sacred gospel teaches family we must leave, 
If it be essential, when we the truth receive ; 
To my soul's sight it is as clear as noon's bright sun, 
Darlings refuse not, read the gospel ev'ry one. 
'Tis the sweetest message of perfect peace and love 
Sent by our Heav'nly Father from his throne above. 

In the first glow of my enthusiasm I thought if my be- 
loved mother and sisters would read the gospel they would 
also become convinced that Christ Jesus was the son of God, 
and in my desire to influence them I wrote the following 
lines : 

GOSPEL POWER. 

If you read the gospel and in faith believe it true, 
It will along your pathway the seeds of comfort strew, 
These will blossom into buds of ev'ry pleasing hue, 
And like flowers of the tropics they constantly renew. 

If you believe the gospel the inspired word of God, 
The serene contentment it gives is your great reward, 
As surely as blood flows from flesh wounded by the sword 
Will peace spring forth from faith in the promise of the Lord. 

If you believe the gospel, and on Jesus Christ rely, 

He will to your wounded soul the healing salve apply; 

Happiness will surely come when He is your ally, 

And love will tinge all your thoughts as heavenward they fly. 

If you believe the gospel, and all your sins regret, 
Jesus will bear your burden and he will pay your debt ; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 37 

Passions will cease from troubling, conscience will not fret, 
And in your new-found joy all past sorrow you forget. 

If you believe the gospel, Old Scripture with it compare, 
Certainty will resolve from doubt, sweet joy from despair; 
Strength will resolve from weakness, all faults it will repair, 
It will give you hope and power all things to do or dare. 

If you believe the gospel you have no cause to rue, 
But will again the bright hopes of joyous youth renew, 
In accepting Christ's kingdom your soul is born anew, 
And lives in brighter realms than your fondest fancy drew. 

SOLACE. 

In restless journey here below 
A supreme solace calms our woe, 
Proving by its mighty power 
A beacon light in every hour. 
>K •%. >k ^ % 

When our awakened soul does feel 
The force of the Divine appeal, 
Rest firm thy hope on heav'nly joy ! 
For 'tis alone without alloy. 
Then all within expands in bliss 
As if blessed by an angel's kiss, 
And heart and soul in glad accord 
Accept in fullest faith the word 
As message of a faithful friend 
Who does our greatest good intend, 
And marks a sure and pleasing way 
How we should travel day by day, 
In gracious story simply told, 



38 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

That ev'ry one, both young and old, 
Its full import can easily learn, 
And for their souls salvation earn. 
If gospel teachings be our guide, 
They will our sinful passions chide, 
And will at last all sin o'ercome 
And fit us for our heav'nly home. 
Could better gift our Father give 
Than send His Son on earth to live 
That we should from our sins be freed ? 
Could other gift supply the need ? 
He sent Him here to live and die, 
Then raised Him to His throne on high. 
But He has died that we might live : 
Believing this, God will forgive 
The faults and errors of our past, 
Will give us peace while life shall last, 
And when it ends our spirit flies 
To a bright mansion in the skies. 

%. >fc * * ^ 

Can worldly pleasures give us rest ? 
Their fleeting joys our thoughts arrest ; 
But like the poppies, bright with red, 
When plucked will droop and are dead ; 
Is it not true, vain ea/thly joy 
Does quickly pall and quickly cloy. 
Can our minds recall one pleasure 
That will satisfy our leisure, 
And leave mem'ries of pure delight 
Or put our doubts and fears to flight ; 
Do not vain pleasures leave behind 
A restless feeling in the mind ? 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 39 

Some say, " Couldst I live life again ! " 
Betraying thus regret and pain ; 
And, looking back upon our past, 
Do not events some shadows cast, 
As murdered hour like specters loom, 
Filling our days and nights with gloom? 
But need we thus in darkness grope 
Or peace expect from earthly hope ? 
To Father and Son why not pray, 
In mercy, gloom to clear away. 
Why do we not accept relief? 
Why in His Word refuse belief? 
Lives there a man who will essay 
To prove escape another way. 
Do we not know each sinful deed 
Is dang'rous as a restless steed ; 
Its driver's strength overpowered at last, 
May in its course sad havoc cast ; 
Do not passions o'erpower our will ? 
And may in time our conscience kill. 
Oh ! why rest peace on earthly hope ? 
Why will we with our passions cope, 
When there is a most easy way, 
If we follow, will surely slay 
Desires that disturb life |ind thought. 
Has not Christ our redemption bought ? 
He has died for our salvation, 
Man and woman, ev'ry nation, 
'Tis the solace that is given 
When the heart from sin is riven ; 
Believing it, in faith we know 
A perfect peace on earth below, 



40 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE 

As a great joy serenely calm 

Floats o'er our souls like soothing balm . 

The following extracts from letters written by my beloved 
mother and sister, will convey an idea as to how the informa- 
tion of my conversion was received : 

Passages from Letters from my Beloved Mother. 

" I entreat and implore you by the memory of your father (God rest 
his soul in peace!) to come home at once, and I will leave this part and 
live where you like. Think, my darling boy, of the grief you are caus- 
ing us all at home, and of what you are doing by separating yourself 
from us all. You are in a strange country ; if sickness or trouble should 
overtake you, you would then pray for the sight of those nearest and 
dearest to you. Only L — A — and J — M — know what you have done ; 
J — M — came in just as I received your letter. I told him what you had 
written me, as I felt I must have some one to confide in; he said he 
would write to you. Any one, to read your letters, would think you had 
done something very bad in your time, instead of being all that was 
good, just, and honorable. Do not now belie your kind and loving 
nature and forsake us all. You are only a young man. Come home. 
There are years of joy and happiness in store for you, if you will only 
get rid of the morbid feeling you have. You say if we pray to God in 
a proper spirit He will grant our prayer. I trust mine will be granted 
(that you will return to me at once). " 

God bless and guard you back to your own people, is the prayer of 
your loving mother. 

In yours of March 25th, you say your enforced absence from us all 
is a source of great sadness to you. O, my dear Mark, what do you 
think my feeling must be, when I lay my head on my pillow at night, 
to think that you, who I have always looked up to as all that was good 
and noble — you, who I looked upon to take the place of a father to 
the darling girls — you, who have always been so good and thoughtful 
to me — you, who it has been my pride and joy to extol to every one, 
think of the great grief you are causing me in my old age. I pray 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 41 

of you to return home; all your friends (and you have many) are 
anxious you should do so. You are now entirely among strangers; if 
sickness or sorrow should overtake you, you would crave for those 
who are dear to you. I can only pray that the Almighty will hear 
my prayer. You say you have been away nearly three years, and 
that I must be getting reconciled to the parting. That I shall never 
be ; I miss you more than ever. 

God bless and protect you, is the constant prayer of your loving 
mother. 

Passages from Letters from my Darling Sister. 

Your letter, in which you say you have decided to settle in New 
York, has occasioned both dear mamma and myself some anxiety and 
uneasiness. In spite of the many things that have happened the 
past few years, my faith and hope in you have stood as firm as a rock. 
I must ask you, dear, now in the name of our dear dead father (E. I. 
P.), and the mutual love he bore us, not to do any thing which, when 
your own time comes to be called away, will make you ashamed to 
meet him, as (if what I feel sure you contemplated doing is right) 
you would do. I can read between the lines, and think I can under- 
stand what you think of doing. I will not put into words what I 
fear; but before doing any thing rash think deeply, and recollect none 
ever did any thing rashly yet without regretting it in after years. If 
you only go the right way about it, your future life may be very 
happy. And your personal qualities and talents combined and put to 
"proper" use and aim may insure you not only happiness but fame. 
I fear I can not put into words all I would say, but I think you will 
understand ; and if I have said more than I should, it is only called 
forth on account of the great love I have always had for you. Do 
not le'i, me entirely lose the hope of seeing you (if not now) in future 
years. You have always been my by-word and standard for all that 
is good and true; let my faith still stand firm. I can not say more 
now. God bless and guard you, my darling. 

This morning I have bidden farewell to one of the brightest hopes of 
my life; have bidden adieu forever to a long-cherished dream, namely, 
of seeing you one of the foremost men of the day, not only in public life 



42 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

but in congregational matters also. If I wrote forever I could not 
express the deep grief and sorrow your letter has cost our dear mother 
and myself. This morning the light that had been to me a beacon of 
all that is good and true, as a rock to lean on when it shall please the 
Almighty (may he in his infinite mercy grant her many years) to call 
our darling mother to himself — that light has gone out forever, and I 
almost think I would sooner have heard that, God had taken you than 
that you should have lived to become what you are; almost sooner 
know that you are not responsible for your actions than that you 
should be held accountable to our Maker for what you have done. I 
think you have killed the best half of my life. Why did you do it? 
I am sure, if you had come back to us, we could have made you happy. 
I am sure we would have done any thing for you, we all love you so. 
Now ail is over forever. I feel as if I am going to a funeral. I dare 
sav y° u have received mine of February 16th. You see I need not 
have been afraid of putting my fear into words. When God has 
taken us all, and in heaven we are all reunited, one face will be miss- 
ing — the face that has always been so dear to me. As I am writing 
this I am shedding the bitterest tears of my life. I can't finish as 
usual by saying, God bless you. Your welfare will always be dear to 
me, and when you write please omit any reference to your religious 
matters. As to your advice to us to read the New Testament, I pass 
it over with the contempt it deserves. I shall never forget your kind- 
ness and generosity to me. I shall try and think of you as you were 
in years gone by, not as you are. I still love you, but my faith and 
hope in you are dead — killed by your cruel letter. If you will come 
back to us in the old faith, as a repentant Jew, there is nothing I 
will not do for you to prove my love. I wonder if you really loved us. 

You will see from the heading of this we are away from home. I 
received your letter in which you say you are at Saratoga. You say 
you are ver}' happy. I am glad to hear it; but, at the same time, I 
am very sorry for the cause. My dear boy, you, like every one else, 
have made many mistakes in your life, but never such an one as this. 
You may not think so just at present, but in the years to come you 
will regret this step as sorely as you ever regretted any thing. Mind, 
I do not say at present, while the glamour of novelty is on you. I 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 43 

shall always remember (although we are perhaps parted forever) your 
loving kindness to me, and shall never cease to regret your wasted 
life and talents. Have you ever thought of the injury you have 
done your five young sisters? It seems you are making our name a 
by-word for every one to scoff at. Do not think me harsh, for I 
love you dearly ; but I have always been proud, and it is hard to see 
one's dearest hopes fall to the ground. 

I am writing you a few lines in dear mamma's letter, but really I 
hardly know what to write to you about, your life is now so utterly 
opposed to ours. The only satisfactory thing about your letters is the 
fact that you say you are very happy; and I hope, dear, your happi- 
ness will be lasting. As for your thinking we shall any one of us some 
day be of your opinion, it is utterly ridiculous, for such a thing will 
never happen to us, as to be so wicked as to change our religion ; but 
it is no use arguing the matter, so we will pass on to more pleasant 
subjects. . . . 

Our New Year commences on Monday, and the Fast is next Wed- 
nesday. May God grant us all happiness and prosperity and keep us 
from fresh sorrow and trouble during the coming year. I shall never 
cease all my life to regret the step you have taken. Many a time I 
am seized with a feeling of deep sorrow and regret for your ruined 
and wasted life. Only our Heavenly Father knows what deep faith I 
put in you and how fervently I loved and respected you; but our idols 
are generally shattered. God bless and keep you safely. If you feel 
my letters in any way unkind or unsatisfactory, let me know, and if 
you like I will cease writing to you for a time ; but there seems a 
sense of restraint and something inexplicable when I am writing to 
you now. 

These and similar characteristic letters caused me the most 
poignant anguish. In one of my letters I had written home 
thus : " I feel I ought to express sorrow for feeling so happy, 
knowing what grief and pain I have caused ^you." I did not 
•find out the secret of this peace until hearing a sermon, Gal. 
v, 22: "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suf- 



44 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

fering, gentleness," etc. When the minister expounded on the 
word long-suffering coming between peace and gentleness, it 
became clear to my mind how with all my long-suffering I 
had peace and joy. 

Forgive me, beloved, if I cause you fresh sorrow by pub- 
lishing your letters. You are my sacrifice to the Great 
Cause, and the sacrifice must be a perfect one ; but all the 
world shall honor you for your constant, true, loving, tender, 
generous hearts. Who shall dare say unkind things of our 
old race when they remember you belong to it? 

Oh, darlings, darlings! you will never know what bitter 
anguish I have suffered in sympathy for your sorrow. But, 
thank God, through our Lord Jesus Christ I found consola- 
tion in his Word when I read, " Blessed are they that mourn, 
for they shall be comforted. " 

TO L . 



Darling, I received your letter, 
It was kind, tender, and true ; 

I never, dear, loved you better, 
Tho' it did my sorrow renew. 

My mind o'er memories linger, 

On the bright, joyous days at home, 

Before grief's defacing finger 

Over our hearts and souls had come. 

But dear, happy days are in store, 

And we shall re-united be ; 
Joy in our hearts will breathe once more, 

Like odor in the sweet rose tree. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 

I know, my love, you love the Lord, 
But see him through a darkened glass ; 

You have not heard the gospel word, 
My prayer is, this may come to pass. 

I pray to you our Lord will send 
His grace to see the truth aright, 

Then you and I our knees will bend 

And thank Him we have found the light. 



45 



SPIRIT OF LOVE. 

Oh, linger, linger, happy thought! 
Since you a perfect cure have wrought 
Upon my deep distress of mind; 
Oh, happy thought, be thou so kind 
Ever in my glad soul to dwell, 
It does with sweetest rapture swell. 
Oh, linger, linger, welcome guest! 
You give to me such perfect rest. 

u Yes, confiding soul, I will stay 
And guide you to the narrow way ; 
I hear your plea, I know your need, 
Continue still to pray and plead ; 
Be ever watchful hour by hour, 
You shall have a heav'nly dower ; 
No more shall deep distress of mind 
Your trusting soul with anguish grind. " 

Thanks, and thanks, most happy thought ! 
I have thy inspiration caught ; 
Lead quickly to the narrow way, 



46 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

I gladly follow thy guiding ray, 
And where'er you lead I will go ; 
Now thro' my soul sweet peace does flow, 
This deep content does surely prove 
You are the good spirit of love. 

" Yes, I am the spirit of love 
Sent by your Saviour from above ; 
I gladly come to all who call, 
For He loves you one and all. 
If I am welcome I remain ; 
If not, depart in deepest pain ; 
And if you are sincere and true, 
I will never depart from you." 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 47 



CHAPTER V. 

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.— 1 Peter iv, 9. 

I have now to relate one of the painful experiences of my 
Christian life. I had certainly expected to meet with rebuffs 
and contempt from my Jewi-h brethren; but, on the other 
hand, I thought Christian people would have done all in their 
power iu the way of sympathy and hospitality to alleviate 
my sorrow and loneline-s. If it is unmanly to admit I look 
for human sympathy, I plead guilty to unmanliness. 

I soon came to the conclusion that if I expected much 
sympathy or consideration from Christian people I should meet 
with disappointment. With a few notable exceptions I have 
been the recipient of very little practical sympathy, and next 
to no hospitality. My letters of introduction have generally 
procured me a shake of the hand, and nothing more. Re- 
membering, as I do, my hospitable reception by the Jewish 
people during my travels, I can not help feeling bitterly dis- 
appointed by the contrast. The loving kindness and hospi- 
table treatment of the Jews one to another is proverbial. 
They are taught the grand precept : Show hospitality to 
strangers. In their prayers this command comes before at- 
tending to the sick, because they say every one will visit the 
sick, but no one will visit strangers unless the command is 
kept constantly before the mind. I think I can count on my 
fingers the Christian people who have visited me during my 
fourteen months of Christian life. I dare say I notice this 
more because of the exceptional circumstances of my case. 
Still there is a deplorable want of loving kindness and sym- 
pathy among Christian people, and it behooves the ministers to 
be stirring and preaching a few sermons from Heb. xiii, 1,2: 



48 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain 
strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." 
I have heard very many sermons, but not one on this subject. 
Many Christians consider they have done all that is required 
of them after they have subscribed money to maintain chari- 
table institutions, whereas they would be doing far greater 
practical charity if they kept their money and paid a few 
visits of sympathy to the sick, suffering, and lonely ones. And 
they would reap afar greater reward from the knowledge of 
well-doing, and would also keep themselves more in touch 
with human nature. 

As previously stated, I had gone to Philadelphia because 
Americans in Australia had spoken so highly of it as 
being the city of homes and brotherly love. These titles 
seemed to ring like music to my ear, and I turned my steps 
there with every hope of a kind reception. I connected my- 
self with a church, and was, in one way and another, intro- 
duced to scores of people. I had not gone there altogether 
a stranger, and naturally expected some consideration. What 
was the result? During about two months' residence there 
no one called to cheer me in my loneliness, and only one gen- 
tleman offered me hospitality, and with him I had business 
transactions — not that I value his friendship less on this 
account. 

I must not forget to say that the assistant minister of the 
church where I was baptized, and whose duty it was to call 
on strangers, had severe illness in his family at the time, and 
was thereby prevented from doing so ; and one of the vestry- 
men did call, on realizing my condition of loneliness, but this 
was after I had protested against the unkind treatment. Both 
these gentlemen and their wives were most kind and sympa- 
thetic, and to the present day I count them among my most 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 49 

valued friends. The impression created on my mind was that 
people were regarding me with mingled curiosity and suspi- 
cion, which was most painful; and while they did not 
scruple to make inquisitive inquiries, and thereby must have 
learned I was a stranger in a strange land, still "they did not 
seem to realize that their duty was to show me hospitality. 
It is a common tradition among the Jews that the Conversion 
Society of England spends ten thousand dollars to convert 
a Jew, and I used to think with bitterness, Now I am a Chris- 
tian, they do not offer me a cup of tea, 

I will mention two circumstances that happened to me in 
direct contrast to this : On my way to New York from 
San Francisco, I remained in Washington for a short time, 
and at the hotel where I stayed became acquainted with 
a gentleman, and we traveled together to Philadelphia, where 
I also stayed off. From my name he arrived at the conclu- 
sion I was a Jew, and informed me he belonged to the same 
faith; but I said nothing to him of my religious feelings. On 
parting at the station, he handed me a card and said he would 
be pleased if I called on him. While there I also met an- 
other Jew whom I had known in San Francisco the previous 
year, and he gave me a most pressing invitation to proceed 
to Boston and visit his brother who resided there. These 
were the only Jewish gentlemen I met in Philadelphia, and 
their offers of hospitality were characteristic. I could not 
help recalling these circumstances subsequently. 

The reception I met with from Christians in Philadelphia 
is an example of that of other cities with few exceptions. If 
my experience is a criterion of the experience of others, then 
I think it is time that some one stepped forward and in the 
name of our common humanity protested in words of no uncer- 
tain sound. 

4 



50 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

Some will say you were not satisfied with the Jewish people, 
and now you are quarreling with the Christian. To them I 
answer, If I was disappointed with the want of sympathy on 
the part of professing religionists among the Jews, this disap- 
pointment is increased ten -fold when I realize it as it is with 
the professing Christian. I will here say the Jewish nature, 
pure and simple, putting aside a question of religion, is more 
tender and sympathetic than the Christian, and this is the 
more to be wondered at because they have not the high stand- 
ard of Christ's teaching before them as an example. Ah, if 
people would only live up to this, what a difference there 
would be! There is no character on God's earth as noble, as 
self-sacrificing, and as sympathetic as a Christian who, in all 
sincerity, is endeavoring to live up to the teachings of our 
Saviour, but unfortunately one seldom meets this character. 

Some may ask, Who are you who sit yourself up to judge 
others, are you so perfect yourself? To them I will answer, 
I am not criticising from personal motives, but out of regard 
for our common humanity and out of sympathy for the abun- 
dance of sorrow and suffering that surround us on every side, 
and which stands neglected by those who, though calling 
themselves Christians, are wasting their opportunities in vain, 
selfish, frivolous, pleasures instead of living up to the teach- 
ing of Him they profess to follow, by going about doing good. 
As regards myself, no one is more conscious of his failures 
than I am, but I am willing to do all I ask or expect of others ; 
and God knows, whatever my failures may be, my heart's 
whole desire is to do what is right, and I will make with 
sorrow this confession : Often since my conversion I'have had 
to say, in the words of David, Ps. li, 10-13: " Create in me a 
clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. 
Cast me not away from thy presence ; and take not thy holy 






FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 51 

spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; 
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach trans- 
gressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." 
And what saith the word of the Apostle, \ John i, 8-10: "If 
we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and 
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright- 
eousness. If we say that w T e have not sinned, we make him 
a liar, and his word is not in us." And 1 John ii, 1-2 : "My 
little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. 
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ, the righteous : And he is the propitiation for 
our sins : and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the 
whole world. " 

But I can honestly say no year of my manhood has been 
as pure and as calmly peaceful as the first of my Christian life. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

The City of Brotherly Love, 
It is the fair city of homes, 
Be kind, then, when a stranger comes, 

Your right thus to these titles prove. 

Brotherly love ! city of homes ! 
A cadence strikes the listening ear, 
Notes of welcome lone hearts to cheer ; 

I remember home's cosy rooms. 

City of homes, words bring to mind 
Homelike scenes, kind faces of friends. 
Brotherly love a hope portends 

To breathe welcome from people kind. 



52 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

Countrymen of your city spoke 

In terms of highest sounding praise, 
And did radiant hope upraise ; 

This you h^ye dealt a deadly stroke. 

From your proud city I will go 

To where more kindly people dwell, 
And if to you your faults I tell 

Yo may not welcome others so. 

When a stranger comes amongst you, 
If he be friendless and lonely, 
He does not seek advice only, 

He seeks a welcome warm and true. 

Open the portal of your heart 

To those who wander in your land ; 

Do something more than give your hand, 

Show them kindness ere they depart. 

Pride not yourselves on your descent 

From those who were your nation's pride ; 
But pride yourselves that you have tried 

To solace those whose hearts are rent. 

Open your doors to those who come 
In our dear Saviour's sacred name ; 
He surely says we are to blame 

If we welcome not those who roam. 

Forget not our dear Saviour came 
To succor the sad and the lost, 
Then look not closely at the cost 

If you do kindness in His name. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 5S 

I write not in anger but sadness, 

I bear you not the least ill-will ; 

You did not rny bright hope fulfill ; 
Be kind when others come in gladness. 

To prove that I am not unappreciative of kindness, I will 
quote some verses from my journal. Those entitled, Kind 
Words, were written under the following circumstances. I 
had received a letter from my sister in which she stated what 
excessive grief my action had caused all at home, and after 
reading the letter I felt in a very gloomy and dispirited frame 
of mind. A Christian lady residing in the same house noticed 
my sadness and inquired the cause. Having confided in her 
she was very sympathetic, and, on meeting her later in the 
evening, handed me an envelope containing some verses she 
had written. They proved very consoling, and my answer was 
written before retiring to rest. The lines entitled Sympathy, 
were also written to a lady under somewhat similar circum- 
stances. I mention these facts because I do not wish my 
Christian friends to think I do not value their kindness and 
friendship. But this kindness has usually come from those 
I had no special claim upon. 

My just cause of complaint is against those Christian peo- 
ple to whom I have taken letters of introduction, and who, 
apart from religious feeling and obligation, should have 
felt constrained from their social instincts to offer hospitality. 
The merit is such cases lies in coming forward when every 
one else holds aloof; there is no merit in being kind when 
every one else is so, or when you think some return will be 
made. Several of my Christian friends have already taken 
umbrage because of the position I have assumed, and while I 
shall never cease to regret this fact I can not allow it to inter- 



64 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

fere with my mission. It is very bitter and discouraging 
when we are trying to do our duty to meet with coldness, dis- 
trust, and misunderstanding from those who should display 
warmth, confidence, and understanding. And while there is 
not the slightest excuse for the Christian people, I have the 
glorious assurance that God is with me,, and " that all things 
are working together for good. " Christians should remember 
the words of St. Paul, where he says, Gal. vi, 2 : "Bear ye 
one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. " 

SYMPATHY. 

The bright sun of sympathy shone o'er my pathway, 
Now no blast of sympathy can make me a castaway, 
Nor can its chilling breath around my heart gather, 
Your kindness dispersed it as sun misty weather. 

Few that I meet appear to have kindly feeling, 
And oft' o'er my heart the temptation comes stealing 
To repay like with like, but I quickly emerge 
From the hot wave of anger with its dev'lish surge. 

None can I blame, as there is much cruel deception, 
But the worthless oft' receive kindest reception, 
And they wither and kill in the most gentle hearts 
The sweet blossom of love with their venomous darts. 

Sympathy, how soothing thou art to a wanderer ! 
Oh, stranger, oh, friend, be a lavish squanderer 
Of the grace given thee — to few it is given ; 
'Tis the brightest of gems, the best gift of heaven. 

In the sweet odor of flowers pleasure I find, 
As it floats on the air of the soft summer wind ; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 55 

So the bright presence of some I meet as I roam 

Seems to waft o'er my heart the sweet fragrance of home. 

In memory they linger, for few there are such 
Who receive this rare gift, this light magic touch; 
Its peerless charm you possess, I felt its full power, 
Long may God spare you to use your heavenly dower. 

And while with this memory a grief does remain, 

As I remember I may not meet you again, 

Still it gives me courage as I wander along, 

And my wavering heart becomes joyous and strong. 

For your words of advice were sympathetic and kind ; 
Your gentle tones wafted comfort over my mind, 
And I revere you as one with the noble aim 
Of relieving the poor, helpless, wounded, and lame. 

KIND WORDS. 

I thank you, friend, for your kind words, 
They prove your nature deep and true, 

And, like the warbling song of birds, 
They stir my heart in depths anew. 

They come like light refreshing showers 

After a long and sultry day, 
That bring the fragrance from the flowers, 

And clear the dust and heat away ; 

Or like the spring when winter's fray 
Has left the land both bare and bleak, 

Sunshine and rain alternate play 

To strengthen buds that blossom weak ; 



56 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLK. 

Or like a son to mother's arms, 

When he returns from distant climes ; 

Around her heart he weaves new charms, 
His voice will ring like sweetest chimes ; 

Like a lover to maiden fair, 

Whose cheeks the rosy blushes dyed 

As hand did touch her wavy hair 
When he to her's his lips applied ; 

Or like a child with tottering feet, 
Who firmly to your fingers cling, 

Whose laughter peals out loud and sweet 
And cheers the heart with merry ring; 

As a boat to ashipwreck'd man, 

When on a rugged rock-bound shore ; 

As doctor to a patient wan 

Who writhes in pains of sufFring sore ; 

As liberty to one just freed 

Who long has dwelt in durance vile, 

His heart did there in anguish bleed, 
And now it hopes with saddened smile ; 

As Christ to a repentant soul 
Who lingers long in lap of sin, 

He will away all burdens roll, 

And for that soul fair favors win ; 

As bread to a starving woman 

Whose heart is torn by her child's cry, 

They come to prove hearts are human, 
That kindness scalding tears will dry ; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 57 

They come to prove some friend is nigh 

Where'er we roam, where'er we be ; 
They come to still the wintry sigh 

That dwells in heart as leafless tree ; 

They come to prove that friendship treads 

Our footsteps if we seek to find, 
And like a garment's hidden threads, 

It proves when found to tightly bind. 

I thank you, friend, for the kind thought 
That prompted you to write those lines; 

And this reply is all too short, 

But sleep my sight and sense entwines. 



58 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 



CHAPTER VI. 

But the path of (he just is as the shining light, that shineth 
more and more unto tue perfect day.— Prov. iv, 18. 

One of the pleasantest experiences of my Christian life 
was my visit to Mr. Moody's Bible Conference at Northfield. 
I will quote from a letter addressed to a friend immediately 
after : 

On arriving at South Vernon Station I found no difficulty 
in getting a conveyance, and after enjoying a pleasant ride 
through the green country lands I arrived at Northfield about 
4 o'clock. 

The schools are delightfully situated, comprising four halls 
some distance apart, each one being built on rising ground, 
and commanding a glorious view of the surrounding country. 
Looking from either of these halls we distinguish in the dis- 
tance the mountains, with the clear blue sky arching above. 
Drawing our gaze nearer, it rests on undulating ground, 
which gradually sloping forms a valley, where we discover 
the river threading its sinuous course through a scene which, 
showing a little of man's handiwork, looks serenely peaceful 
and as charming as could be found in any part of God's uni- 
verse. 

I at once delivered the letter of introduction given me by 

the Kev. Mr. , of Springfield. Mr. Moody received me 

kindly, but being evidently very busy handed me over to the 
care of one of the Mount Hermon school-boys. I would 
here mention the first impression Mr. Moody made on my 
mind was that of an energetic business man ; in fact, he 
reminded me very forcibly of a relative of mine — a success- 
ful manufacturer and large employer of workmen. From 
close observation since, my belief in his executive ability has 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 59 

become in no degree lessened. He is a man in his general 
characteristics quite the opposite to what I expected to find, 
but he is altogether what I would wish him to be, master- 
ful, and brimming over with spirituality. 

All the bed-room capacity being taxed to its fullest extent 
I was compelled, with two other gentlemen, to occupy a room 
in one of the cottages. I subsequently discovered w r e com- 
prised a trio the like of which I do not think could be found 
sleeping in one bed-room in any other part of the globe, viz., 
a protestant clergyman, a converted Roman Catholic priest, 
and myself, a converted Jew. But whatever struggles and 
distress of mind we may have passed through in our past 
lives, we, through the grace of God, having been brought to 
the light of the glorious truth as it is in our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and each one I believe feeling within that blessed 
peace which passeth all understanding, were as merry and 
lignt-hearted as school-boys enjoying a summer holiday 

Before leaving Northfield I realized in its supremest extent 
the height of human happiness. I looked without, and all 
around seemed to breathe an air of perfect calm and content- 
ment, and within heart and soul were singing a joyous song 
of peace and and good will to all men. 

My inner life, for some years, had been one of constant tu- 
mult. I was searching for something, I knew not what. In 
coming to Northfield I have discovered the great secret. A 
few months ago, when I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my 
Redeemer and Saviour, I thought I had mastered God's full 
plan of salvation for sinful mankind ; but I had failed 
to realize there was a third Person in the Holy Trinity, 
the blessed Holy Ghost, whom Christ himself said I 
will send unto you. In coming to Northfield I have been 
taught, by the grace of God, that it is only under certain con- 



60 SOME THOUGHTS OK LIFE'S BATTLE. 

ditions we can hope for the blessing of the Holy Spirit, viz., 
an entire self-surrender and consecration to himself, and that 
it is not every one who accepts Christ as his Saviour who re- 
ceives this supremest of all blessings. Having, I believe, 
conformed to all conditions, I feel I now possess this, and am 
able to understand the words of Jesus when he says, John 
xiii, 16 : "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you 
another comforter that he may abide with you forever ; " and, 
John xvi, 20: " Your sorrow shall be turned to joy." I stand 
in a foreign land, separated from those I love best on earth, 
and^from the innermost depths of my heart I can say, O God, 
thou hast not left me comfortless. I can not but believe that 
God in his own good time will bring my beloved ones, who I 
know are mourning my absence, to the light of the glorious 
truth as it is in our Lord Jesus Christ, when we shall all be 
reunited. May I ask your earnest prayers that this, best of 
all blessings, may be speedily granted them. 

Those who have attended the conference in a receptive 
frame of mind, can not possibly have left without an inspira- 
tion that should remain with them during the whole course 
of their lives. Personally, I feel under a deep debt of grati- 
tude to the earnest, consecrated men of God, who have spoken. 
I can not give all the names, but would mention those of 
Mr. Moody, the Rev. Dr. Pierson, of Philadelphia, the Rev. 
Dr. Gordon, of Boston, all of whom made a deep impression 
on my mind, and T would especially mention that of Prof. 
Drummond, whose personal friendship I had the pleasure of 
enjoying. In his private conversation and public addresses 
he always impressed me as being a noble-hearted, consecrated 
Christian gentleman. May the blessings of God rest on them 
in their various fields of labor ! 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 61 

NORTHFIELD. 

AFTER A HAPPY WEEK SPENT AT MR. D. L. MOODY'S BIBLE CON- 
FERENCE. 

I thank thee, O God, I have beholden 
Northfield the bright, Northfield the golden ! 
Here we are taught salvation's bright story; 
Here floats Thy banner golden in glory. . 

Bathed in the sunlight it floats on the wind, 
Purity spotless, no speck can we find ; 
Hearts by its message are filled with delight, 
Souls from their darkness are turned to the light. 

Northfield is blessed by the spirit of love, 
We breathe a pure air from regions above, 
While listening to salvation's bright story 
Our souls bathe in a sunlight of glory. 

Come all doubters from the ends of the earth, 
You will receive a new spiritual birth ; 
Come all who are struggling with deadly sin, 
You will be taught how the victory to win. 

Come all who carry a burden of pain, 
You will be taught how sweet peace to regain ; 
Come Christians who are powerless and weak, 
You will be taught how the blessings to seek. 

Come all who know not why Christ lived and died, 
All who not knowing his Godhead denied, 
Come listen to salvation's bright story, 
Your souls will bathe in a sunlight of glory. 



62 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I 
will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out ; 
and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they 
have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, 
even in the time that I gather you : for I will make you a name 
and a praise among all people of the earth, when 1 turn back 
your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.— Zephaniah iii, 
19, 20. 

I have now to relate some more painful experiences ; I 
refer to the unkind feeling of the Christians toward the Jews. 
Immediately after my arrival in Philadelphia I had taken 
another name. My reason for doing so was this : Knowing 
the bitter feeling entertained by the members of my old 
faith toward converts, I thought I should be courting persecu- 
tion by retaining my own, which is so essentially Jewish, and 
I also thought, as I intended engaging in business, it would 
retard my success in consequence of this bitter feeling. I 
acted in a perfectly straightforward manner. After appealing 
to the minister who baptized me, he thought I was right in my 
conclusions and advised me to call on his lawyer, who imme- 
diately filed a petition to the legislature of Pennsylvania, pray- 
ing I should be allowed to do this. As an evidence of my 
feeling on the matter, I will state that a few days after this had 
been done I went to the clergyman and stated I felt it was a 
cowardly course to pursue ; however, after careful considera- 
tion I decided to allow the case to remain as it was. Viewing 
this matter by the light of after events, I think it was provi- 
dential I did so, as I was thereby enabled to arrive at a cor- 
rect judgment as to the feeling and disposition of Christian 
people toward the Jews. 

I will here say I can never forget that all my beloved 
relatives and most of my old friends and companions belong 
to the Jewish race, and whatever their feeling, or the feeling 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 63 

of the great body of Jews may be towa-rd me, my feeling 
toward them is one of great affection ; therefore, when I was 
constantly hearing unkind remarks concerning them they 
wounded me as much as if applied personally, and I never 
allowed them to pass without protest. 

I have mixed with Christian people all my life : my boyhood 
days were passed almost exclusively at Christian schools ; 
being very fond of sports, all my life I had been associated 
in various pastimes such as bicycling, boating, cricket, swim- 
ming, etc., with Christians in all classes and conditions of 
life, and it was very seldom I heard unkind remarks applied 
to the Jewish people, in fact, I think I heard more such talk 
during the first few months of my Christian experience than 
in all the combined years of my previous life. I threw my 
memory back to a period when, living in a country town, it 
was sometimes necessary in consequence of boys calling after 
my brothers and myself for my parents to send an escort with 
us to school. I remembered what a feeling of bitter resent- 
ment I had toward those boys, and how I used to chafe at my 
ow r n impotency to punish them for what I felt was unjust and 
cowardly conduct. As I recalled this feeling I determined, 
as God would give me power, to raise my voice in behalf of 
the race I loved. I might enumerate many painful instances; 
one that made the greatest impression on my mind was the 
following: One Sunday evening I was at church, and the 
preacher in his exhortation to the congregation, calling them 
to repentance, brought to our notice the crucifixion of our 
Saviour, and went on to describe how the Jew had been a by- 
word and reproach ever since, and he emphasized the word Jew 
with an infinitude of scorn. I can not recollect his words now, 
but they made a most painful impression on my mind, and 
must have led many of the ignorant and illiterate among the 



64 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

congregation to believe they were justified in persecuting the 
Jews as a fitting punishment for the crucifixion, but he forgot 
to remind them Christ had said, " Father, forgive them, they 
know not what they do." It is an episode in the life of 
Christ often used by ministers as an illustration when calling 
sinners to repentance, and they apply an argument somewhat 
after this fashion : They picture to the congregation the 
scene of the trial of Jesus, leading up to the crucifixion, and 
then go on to say if you refuse Christ you are like the howling 
Jews who stood before Pilate when he asked them, Who will 
you have, Jesus or Barrabas? Will you have the guilty, or 
will you have the innocent ; will you take sin, or will you take 
righteousness? Now, as a follower of Christ corning from 
the Jews, I protest against this argument. While not wish- 
ing to excuse the Jews of that day, we must all admit that 
those who stood before Pilate had not the light of the gospel 
to guide them as the Gentiles of the present day have; and 
even His chosen disciples, until Christ had risen from the 
dead, forsook and lost faith in Him. If the Jews of those 
days were guilty, the guilt of the Gentiles who have the 
gospel preached to them in the present day is increased a 
hundred -fold. Should a Jew stray into a church, and hear a 
minister expound the gospel thus, it would wound his tenderest 
sympathies so painfully that he would probably never enter 
again. It is from causes similar to this that I believe keep 
Jews from attending church, and thus the cause of Christ is 
retarded. Ministers appear to forget that if howling Jews 
did surround the cross, noble self sacrificing Jews were our 
Lord's disciples, and preserved the gospel for them ; they 
should remember, also, that our Lord's mother was a Jewess. 
There is another circumstance I will refer to here: that is, of 
connecting the Jews with the Turks and other heathen in 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 65 

the prayer service. God's ancient chosen people are worthy 
of a special prayer. Recently I said to a young evangelist, . 
Will you remember the Jews in your prayers occasionally. 
He said: "Oh, yes; I often pray for the heathen." The 
fact is, if the Jew is in darkness as to their duty to our Sa- 
viour, most of the followers of our Saviour are in darkness 
as to their duty to the Jews. 

After the service I sought an introduction to the preacher 
and told him how pained I had been at his remarks. He 
naturally disclaimed any intention of wounding my feelings, 
and promised to be more careful in the future. How correct 
I was in my conclusion was proven the next day, when, on 
calling on another minister who had been in the church, he 
immediately referred to the circumstance, and said how sorry 
he was I had been present. 

This occurrence led up to another episode. On the follow- 
ing Sunday the clergyman who had preached came to dine at 
the boarding-house where I was residing, and during dinner 
he, with great want of tact, seeing I was present, led the con- 
versation up to the subject of the Jews, and commenced 
saying all manner of kind things about them : but unfortu- 
nately many of those present took a different view, and after 
listening quietly to the talk for some time, I had to turn to 
the company and say, " Ladies and gentlemen, you will ex- 
cuse me interrupting, but the conversation is most painful to 
me, as I have Jewish blood in my veins." This is a fair illus- 
tration of other instances. Shortly before this I had been to 
Saratoga, where I also heard many unkind remarks. Mr. 
Moody, during one of his services recently at Louisville, 
related the following story : " A young minister in a new 
charge preached against whisky; some members came and 
said, Don't go on about whisky, some of our best-paying 

5 



66 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

members are in the business. And then he took up gambling, 
and was told to let that alone, several members rented prop- 
erty to gamblers. The young preacher asked, What shall I 
preach against? Preach against the Jews, there's none of 
them or their friends here, was the reply." The same even- 
ing I was at an overflow meeting at one of the churches, and 
the leader related the following circumstances : He said, I 
was in one of our large stores one day this week, and many 
Jews and Gentiles were present, and they were discussing the 
effect of the Moody meetings, and the strongest defender and 
upholder of Mr. Moody was a Jew. 

Eventually my mind was wound up to such a high pitch of 
indignation that I went to Boston and issued the following 
pamphlet : 

" When a man makes a discovery, if it has an influence on 
the worldly well-being of his fellow-men, he appears nearly 
always impelled by an all-powerful desire to make it known, 
so that all may participate in the benefit that will result from 
his secret. 

" This is the principle we should apply to our spiritual 
knowledge ; and, when we have discovered the great secret 
relating to our soul's salvation, we should make it known to 
the best of our ability, in the hope of bringing those who are 
groping in darkness to the light of the glorious truth as we 
find it. 

" This thought is the impelling motive that induces me to 
publish a few leaves from my journal of experience. 

"I will address myself first to my Jewish, and secondly to 
my Christian brethren. To the first I would say, I had for 
years been burdened with a restless, unsatisfied craving that 
nothing in my surroundings or experience could dispel. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 67 

Through reading the New Testament, I was brought to a 
knowledge of Jesus Christ; and, in realizing that He whom 
our forefathers rejected nearly nineteen hundred years ago is 
the promised Messiah of the Old Scriptures, I have truly 
found ' a peace that passeth all understanding/ 

" It would be an undertaking of too great a magnitude for 
me to repeat here the prophecies and promises concerning 
him and the Jewish race contained in the Scriptures. I have 
satisfied myself that every one of these has been fulfilled or 
carried into effect in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. If you, 
my dear reader, have this same restless, unsatisfied spiritual 
craving, I earnestly beg of you to read, in a spirit of prayer, 
the Old and New Scriptures ; and if you are sincere in your 
desire to arrive at the truth, by the grace of God it will be 
made evident to you, as it has been to me. 

" To my Jewish brethren I will also say, My love and sym- 
pathy are entirely with you. It is only since I have become 
a follower of Christ that I have realized how much the Chris- 
tian Churches have been and are delinquent in duty — not 
only in the sin of commission, but also in that of omission — 
in treating our race so badly during these past centuries. If 
this book is placed in your hands, I ask you to read it in lov- 
ing kindness. Accept these experiences as heartfelt, and 
published solely in the hope of benefiting yourselves : in the 
first place, by awakening the Christian world to a conscious- 
ness of all they owe the Jewish race; and, secondly, in the 
hope of bringing some of you, by the grace of God, into the 
blessed peace I now enjoy. 

" In all I say, I desire nothing except to be true to you, to 
myself, and to the cause of Him I serve. I can fearlessly 
say, as man to man. I am deserving of credit. 

" I was for some time on one of the committees of theLon- 



68 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

don (England) Jewish. Board of Guardians. On resigning 
this position, I received a letter from the chairman, asking 
me to withdraw my resignation, at the same time acknowl- 
edging valuable services. At the time of the massacre of 
the Kussian Jews, I was the honorary secretary of the fund 
collected for their relief in the district where I resided, and 
after my spiritual nature had been awakened, I took a great 
interest in synagogal matters. I mention these facts simply 
as an evidence that I endeavored to do my duty as a Jew. 
I failed to satisfy my conscience because a link was re- 
quired to bring my spiritual nature into communion with 
my heavenly Father. Having prayerfully read the New 
Testament, I found this link in Jesus of Nazareth, whom 
I believe in the fullest possible faith to be the Messiah. 

'\I will now address myself to my Christian brethren, cler- 
gymen and laymen. When I say brethren, I mean sincere 
followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have prayed earnestly 
to our heavenly Father to send me the inspiration of his 
Holy Spirit, that all I write herein may be to the honor and 
glory of his holy name. I write in all charity ; but my 
heart cries out in sympathy for my Jewish brethren as I 
realize how much the Christian Churches in the past have 
failed in their duty toward them. A few days ago a promi- 
nent evangelist said to me, ' It is your duty to go without 
delay and tell your Jewish brethren your experiences/ To 
him and to all Christian clergymen I say : There is only one 
way, in my opinion, of reaching and converting the Jewish 
race, thereby hastening the coming of Christ's kingdom ; 
namely, by preaching from your pulpits earnestly to your 
congregations the gospel of loving kindness toward them, 
God's ancient chosen people, to whose ancestors you owe so 
deep a debt of gratitude. You will thereby awaken in their 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 69 

minds a responsive echo of love toward yourself; and it will 
serve to dispel the feeling that exists among them, that 
Christian people are cold-hearted to the core and wanting in 
love and sympathy. 

"I commend earnestly to your notice Romans ix, x, xi. 
I do not remember ever having heard a sermon preached 
from these chapters of the Scriptures. 

" Since arriving in America I have been constantly wounded 
by hearing the unkind remarks made by people when refer- 
ring to the Jews. Coming from England, where the Jews of 
the present day are held in the highest esteem by all classes, 
from the Queen downward, I am not only wounded in my 
tenderest feelings, but surprised this should be so. Even 
ministers of the gospel fail to realize how 7 much the Christian 
Church owe the Jewish race. Often I have heard in private 
conversation and from the pulpit words referring to them 
that have made my blood boil with indignation, realizing as I 
do the injustice. I w 7 ill relate an experience, one of many, 
to illustrate my meaning. I was staying at a house where 
nearly all the inmates were professing Christians. An emi- 
nent divine was announced to give a short talk on his Eu- 
ropean experiences and travels. In the course of his remarks 
he related an anecdote concerning the late Benjamin Disraeli, 
Earl of Beaconsfield, a Jew who lived and died in the Chris- 
tian faith, and referred to him as having the blood of the 
impenitent thief in his veins. It is true, he was quoting w T hat 
some one else had said; but for a minister of the gospel to 
relate such an anecdote to a company of professing Christian 
people was, in my opinion, most.condemnable. He should 
have remembered our Lord Jesus Christ had the same blood 
flowing in his veins. The story was related, I believe, for 
the purpose of raising a laugh. It is incidents similar to this 



70 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

that tend to widen the breach between Jews and Christians, 
and thereby retard the coming of Christ's kingdom. I think 
it behooves every man, in w r hatever part of the globe he may 
be, to take notice of, and, when occasion demands, to protest 
against any thing being done or said that tends to bring into 
ridicule or contempt the race from which he springs. It 
occasionally happens that people err unconsciously or through 
inadvertence ; but the obligation to draw attention to the fact 
is not the less imperative, as it is only by so doing that we 
can hope the transgressor will refrain from offending in the 
future. As a converted Jew, and therefore as a representa- 
tive of a very small minority, it would be cowardly if I did 
not come forward and protest in the strongest terms against 
the injustice done them, ' my brethren after the flesh ;' and 
this feeling revives with renewed force when I remember the 
transgressors are often professing Christians. When a per- 
son offends in the heat of passion or through inadvertence, 
and afterward expresses regret, no one is more willing to 
forgive and forget than myself. But, when offensive remarks 
in reference to one's nationality or religion are made in cold 
blood, I assert they redound to the discredit of the utterer, 
because they display an extreme narrowness of mind and a 
profound bigotry. 

"As a follower of the Lord Jesus, as a searcher of the 
Scriptures ; and realizing the deep debt of gratitude the 
Christian Churches owe the Jewish race, my heart rebels 
against the injustice done them. I believe America enjoys 
the rare distinction of being able to say as a nation, * We 
never persecuted the Jews.' In my opinion, the prosperity 
the nation enjoys is explained by this fact. I do not desire 
to repeat history. But have we not found in all ages God's 
promise concerning them — * I will bless them that bless thee, 






FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 71 

and curse them that curse thee' — fulfilled in its integrity ? 
I am also aware it was prophesied that the Jew should be ' a 
scorn and a by-word.' This has also been fulfilled in its 
entirety. But it never was God's purpose that the followers 
of our Lord Jesus Christ should be the ones to revile them, 
1 His brethren after the flesh ; ' and, when they do this, I 
believe they do not escape punishment. I ask the American 
nation to be true to their boast in spirit and in deed, when 
they aver, ' We never persecuted the Jews/ and, in being 
so, to remember there is a persecution worse even than physi- 
cal suffering — that is, the wounding of the heart's tenderest 
feelings and sympathies. . 

" Personally, as a Christian, I am very proud I came from 
the Jewish race ; and, as a race, are they not worthy of 
every consideration, remembering their past history? Are 
they not w 7 orthy of a supreme effort being made to remove 
the veil of unbelief from their eyes? I am addressing my- 
self to all sincere followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. They 
are good citizens, and, if accorded fair treatment, a credit to 
the country, in which they live. They are sober and indus- 
trious, and always willing, in case of need, to make sacrifices 
for the benefit of the nation among whom they dwell. But, 
on the other hand, they have bare justice done them, even 
in free America. Witness the expulsion of them from some 
of the hotels. The whole race is condemned because of the 
indiscretion of a few. I will here say, I believe the Jews, 
man for man, are the best behaved citizens of all nations. 
It is most unfair to compare the uneducated Jew with the 
educated Christian. There is not the slightest shadow of 
doubt that their lower clashes are far better behaved than the 
lower classes of their fellow-countrymen of other beliefs. I 
will illustrate this by relating an experience that befell a 



72 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

cousin of mine, who occupies a prominent position among 
the London Jews. He was visiting a sea-side resort, where 
a number of Jews congregate every summer. One day he 
was resting on a seat bordering the promenade. Two other 
gentlemen occupied the same seat. One of these turned to 
his friend, and, pointing toward the sands, observed, * How 
conspicuous the Jews make themselves!' My cousin, over- 
hearing this remark, turned to the speaker and said, ' You 
will excuse me, but I am a Jew/ The gentleman at once 
apologized for having said any thing that could be construed 
into an insult, and asked pardon. My cousin gladly granted 
this,, and requested permission to make an explanation. He 
said, ' You see those people/ pointing toward the group that 
had drawn forth the remark; ' they are the lowest class of 
the Jewish people. They are kind husbands and fathers. 
They are industrious and sober, and have saved their -hard- 
earned money for the purpose of giving their wives and fam- 
ilies an outing. It is true, they make themselves conspicuous 
by their loud talking and tawdry finery; but, after all, this is 
harmless. Now, compare them with their fellow countrymen 
of other beliefs occupying a similar position, and I ask you, 
Are they worthy of condemnation?' I would observe, I be- 
lieve the educated Jews, also compare favorably with their 
fellow-countrymen of other beliefs, because, knowing the 
criticism they are exposed to, they are extra careful in the 
efforts they make to avoid attracting attention. 

" I will illustrate another phase of their lives. They stand 
pre-eminent as loving husbands and fathers. While I was 
residing in Sydney, Australia, a new divorce law was being 
argued before the legislature. The Bishop of Sydney, in the 
course of one of his sermons, made reference to the old 
Mosaic law concerning divorce. The chief Rabbi residing 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 73 

there took exception to his interpretation of the law, and in 
the course of his remarks said : I would not have referred 
to this bill in my public capacity, as I do not consider as a 
Jew I have any occasion to interest myself in the divorce 
laws of our country. I have had charge of this congrega- 
tion for a period of more than twenty -five years, and during 
that time, out of all the couples I have united in marriage, 
only tw T o divorces have occurred, and one of these couples 
was re-united. I am quoting from memory, but this was the 
substance of his remarks. I believe a like state of affairs 
will be found to exist among the Jews in every part of the 
globe. 

" And, again, what lessons in love might the Christians not 
learn if they mingled more with the Jewish race ! When I 
remember the loving kindness experienced on all hands from 
my Jewish brethren during my wanderings around the world, 
and contrast it with the reception I met with from the Chris- 
tian people among whom I was thrown during the early 
months of my conversion, when the want of sympathy and 
the cold blast of doubt through which I passed nearly with- 
ered my sweet blossom of faith — when I consider all this, I 
think, What vast possibilities in Christ's kingdom might not 
be the outcome, if this intercommunication could only be 
brought about! What a coldness, w T hat a deplorable want of 
loving kindness and sympathy seems to exist in the Christian 
Churches! And so it will remain, I believe, until they 
realize and do their duty toward the Jewish race. 

" Out of regard for the kindness I have received from in- 
dividual Christians, I would willingly have left these facts 
unrecorded ; but a higher duty demands I should not. All 
individual feeling must be sacrificed at the altar of Christ's 
cause. I need only mention that I had to offer up at the 



74 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

same altar a mother's loving heart and darling sisters' affec- 
tions, although fully conscious that the act would be as a 
death stroke to them ; and, although I love them as dearly 
as mother and sisters were ever loved, I did not hesitate to 
sacrifice them when the final struggle came. No sacrifice is 
too great in Christ's cause, and I could only commend them 
to God's uubounded love and care. 

4 'Alas ! the facts I mention are only too true, and call for 
the strongest protest from all sincere followers of Christ. 

" I believe the Jews, by the grace of God, will be easy of 
conversion, if you only succeed in awakening their slumber- 
ing consciences, because they are naturally reverential. I 
would here remark — and I am pleased to be able to record 
it — that I do not remember having heard a Jew (even if not 
religious) blaspheme the name of God or Jesus Christ. Very 
few of the Jews read the New Testament, and I believe a 
large proportion of those who do accept Christ as their Re- 
deemer and Saviour. 

"Prof. Drummond, author of Natural Law in the Spiritual 
World, during one of his addresses at the recent Northfield 
Conference, related the experience of a young converted Jew, 
who is a student at the university of which he is a professor. 
This Jew was a member of an atheist society. One evening 
during the discussion, a speaker blasphemed the name of 
Christ. The Jew, who had never read of Jesus, took excep- 
tion to the speaker's remarks, and defended him as having 
been a good man. The discussion was running high, when a 
friend advised the Jew to give up the discussion until he had 
read the life of Christ as recorded in the New Testament. He 
did this, and, on the following meeting of the society, came 
forward, and not only defended Jesus as a good man, but also 
announced that he believed him to be the Son of God, the 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 75 

Redeemer arid Saviour of the world, and accepted him as 
such. Prof. Drummond also said the same Jew had since in- 
formed him that, had he mingled with Christian people be- 
fore he read of Jesus, he did not believe he would ever have 
become a Christian, their lives being so inconsistent with the 
teachings of Christ. 

11 The Jews see nothing of professing Christians, and natu- 
rally judge the religion of Christ from the so-called Chris- 
tians. The fault with the really pious Christians is they 
keep themselves too secluded. They do not let their 4 light 
shine,' as is commanded. There is truly a deplorable state 
of affairs existing in the Churches, and will remain so until 
the Christian ministers realize their duty toward the Jewish 
race. I believe the time is fast approaching when the Jews 
are to be brought into Christ's kingdom. It may be the 
generation now living is the chosen one of God. The Jews 
of the present day appear to be breaking entirely away from 
their religious observances. Now is the opportunity of the 
Christian Churches to commence their education, and so fit 
them for the glorious future that awaits them. 

11 Out of regard for that one touch of nature that makes the 
whole world kin, by the love I bear my sweet mother and 
sisters, whom I offered up an innocent sacrifice at the altar of 
my faith, and to whom 1 prophesied good would come of the 
act, although I did not then see how — in their name I ask 
you, ministers of the gospel, to preach to your congregations 
loving kindness toward the Jewish race, God's ancient chosen 
people, to whom you owe by His grace so deep a debt of 
gratitude, and toward whom in the past the Christian Churches 
have so deplorably failed in duty. 

" [Since giving these leaves into the hands of the printer, 
I have discovered that the day I have fixed (unconsciously) 



76 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

for issuing them to the public is the centennial of the signing 
of the American Constitution. I have also discovered that, 
by the signing of this Constitution, the Jews, for the first 
time since their rejection of Christ, secured absolute liberty, 
religious and civil. 

" I also understand the explanation given for the non- 
appearance of the name of the Deity in the Constitution is 
that it was caused through an oversight on the part of the 
framers. But who will dare say the finger of God did not 
direct this omission, thereby securing to his ancient chosen 
people one land on earth where they could dwell in perfect 
peace and happiness without fear of persecution? Who can 
foresee what mighty events in Christ's kingdom may not be 
the outcome of this? 

"In other lands nearly every Jew who accepts Christ is 
accused of unworthy motives. This accusation loses its force 
and sting in America, where they enjoy religious and civil 
liberty. I will not pursue this thought further, but I com- 
mend it to all thoughtful minds.] " ^ 

TO CHILDREN. 

Now, dear children, come listen quietly to me 
And I will tell you a tale inspiring and true, 

Why I have left my sweet sisters over the sea 

And come to your bright, happy land to dwell with you. 

I came, dear children, from the ancient Jewish race; 

A prophetic race that is old as old can be, 
In the annals of history it holds highest place, 

And I am proud that I came from this old, old tree. 

Of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you have heard ; 
Of Moses, the Prophets, and of King David's line ; 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 77 

Of the Apostles to whom Jesus gave the Word ; 

In their prophetic veins flowed blood the same as mine. 

All these good men were the light of the ancient world, 
And the most reverential men that ever lived, 

For they the bright banner of our Father unfurled, 
And for the good of mankind earnestly strived. 

Of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Jews do hear ; 

They hear not of the Apostles, or of the Word ; 
The Patriarchs, Moses, the Prophets, they revere, 

But they do not believe in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Do not blame them, dear children, because this is so, 

They are taught from their childhood the Christ has not 
come, 

And, being so taught, how can they possibly know 
Why he came and returned to His heavenly home ? 

I am told you, dear children,* are uncrowned kings, 
And we know that the Jews come of a kingly race ; 

Then always keep in your minds these wonderful things 
And treat the Jews of your nation with princely grace. 

It is only by treating them so you can hope 

To bring them from darkness to the glorious light. 

In great kindness with their unbelief you must cope 
Or you will never be victors in the good fight. 

For the Jews as a race are proud, worthy, and kind, 
And they love one another with wonderful love, 

But in our Father's good time a way we will find 
That His Son is Christ Jesus to them we will prove. 

♦American. 



78 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

My sweet darling sisters are bright, pretty, and good, 
And they pray to God earnestly morning and eve ; 

But it grieves me to think I am not understood 
Because I read about Jesus and do believe. 

But my grief and my pain never. last very long, 
Because all things are working together for good, 

And thro' my heart and my soul there rings a glad song 
Now I believe that on earth Christ Jesus has stood. 

And I ask you, dear children, to pray one and all 
For mother, sisters, and brothers over the sea ; 

Pray that on them God's very best blessing may fall, 
The truth as in Jesus they may one and all see. 

For I know they are sorrowful in my deep joy, 

Their loving hearts are bowed down in great woe and pain, 

In my cup of joy 'tis the one drop of alloy, 

And I pray to God daily they peace may regain. 






FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 7ft 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1 John iii, 14.— We know we have passed from life to death because we 
love the brethren. 

I will again turn to some pleasant experiences. I have 
already mentioned what peace and joy I always found when 
attending services at the churches. This feeling has never 
departed from me, and I am thankful that, however low- 
spirited or despondent I may have become through allowing 
my mind to dwell on the sorrow I had caused those I loved 
best on earth, I could always depend on it being wafted 
away on entering the house of God. 

One circumstance that has made a very great impression 
on my mind is this : What a calm and peaceful atmosphere 
pervades the home of Christian people when they have a 
prayer service at the commencement of the day, especially if 
interspersed with a hymn or two ; its influence enters into the 
life of every one who resides with them. My experience 
applies only to houses where I have been a boarder, but the 
service appears to have the power of drawing out all that is 
best and noblest in one's nature, and even those who make no 
profession of religious belief feel its influence and become 
gentler and more considerate. What a pity the family altar 
is not raised in more homes. 

I will now refer to an institution for which I have great 
affection and admiration, namely, the Young Men's Christian 
Association. If my limited experience qualifies me to judge, 
I should say it does more for the reclaiming of young men 
than any other religious body, unless we except the church. 
This remark applies, of course, to the waifs and strays on 
the sea of life who, otherwise, perhaps would never have 
heard the truths of the gospel, but are now enabled to hear 



80 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

young men of their own age and condition of life testify to 
its mighty power. 

Since first leaving home I have traveled between fifty and 
sixty thousand miles, by laud and water, in railway carriages, 
on stage coaches, on steamers, etc., and have come in contact 
with all classes and conditions of men, and I have arrived at 
this conclusion, that most men are under the influence of their 
immediate surroundings, and these surroundings most often 
tend to evil. When away from home, even those who have 
had a good training will succumb to the many temptations 
that beset them if they are not exceptionally strong-willed or 
are relying on a higher power for strength. I am, therefore, 
from my experience, enabled to appreciate the immense influ- 
ence for good exercised by the Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation. I believe there are many thousands of young men 
who are to-day leading a pure and holy life who would be wal- 
lowing in the depths of degradation but for this institution. 
I believe I would often have been forced, in the very despair 
of loneliness and homesickness, to seek amusement in places 
of bad repute, had it not been I always found a warm welcome 
at these rooms. I am referring, of course, to that period of 
my life when my knowledge of and belief in the Saviour was 
not so strong as it now is. Now I can say, with the full 
fervor of truth : I find sufficient peace and joy in thee, Christ 
Jesus. Christian boy, away from home, frequent these rooms 
and you will be helped to keep the words of St. Jude when 
he wrote, " But' ye, beloved, building up yourself in your 
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourself 
in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus 
Christ unto eternal life." 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 81 

Y. M. C. A. 
Y. M. C. A. I send greeting, 

For many happy hours I've spent 
In your song and gospel meeting, 

And found much calm and pure content. 

You give the warm clasp of the hand, 

With your voices ringing cheery ; 
I pray that you may ever stand 

A safe haven for the weary. 

Boys from home, advice I give you : 

Visit these rooms if you are sad, 
And a glad welcome warm and true 

Will cheer your hearts and make you glad. 

Y. M. C. A. I send greeting : 

You have success and wondrous might, 

Your sweet song and gospel meeting 
Brings many sinners to the light. 

REVELKY. 

While plodding thro' this world of sin 

We see the rich oppress the poor ; 
Victory sin appears to win 

And mammon holds each open door. 

In halls where worldly pleasures dwell, 

Faces with smiles are beaming, 
Tho' sorrow's tale some hearts could tell, 

Smiles are oft* but outward seeming. 
6 



82 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

We turn to halls where vice holds sway, 
And ev'ry thing is gay and bright, 

But sin is rife in hideous play 

To give the heart a deadly blight. 

We enter in the gambling hell, 

And hearts are beating high with hope, 

Many to hear their honor's knell 
As they with this sad passion cope. 

We gaze into the bright saloon 

And see young faces flushed with drink, 

Who from this revelry may soon 
Into the depths of ruin sink. 

. While plodding thro' this world of sin 
Our hearts bow down in woe and pain ; 
Victory sin appears to win, 

But then our hearts revive again. 

We enter in the Christian homes, 
And here all is serenely bright, 

Over the heart new pleasure comes, 
We revel in religious light. 

We go into the house of God 

And hear the sweet hymn swelling high, 
And heart and soul in glad accord 

Unite to say no sin is nigh. 

Sad heart, draw near, you will find hope 
As strength to you is timely given, 

No more with sin in weakness cope ; 
Oh come and make this earth a heaven. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 83 

Sad heart, draw near, you will find joy, 
You will find pleasure calm and pure, 

A pleasure that will never cloy, 
But will your future peace insure. 

Sad heart, draw near, tn God believe, 

Jesus will ev'ry burden bear, 
And He will ev'ry care relieve, 

And He will ev'ry fault repair. 

A CHRISTIAN HOME. 

Far, far from my home I am wandering, without kindred or 
friend, 

And I have found a bright dwelling where all minds in sym- 
pathy blend, 

Where the sweetest home-like air prevails, bidding my home- 
sickness fly, 

And where the inmates appear united by love's strong bind- 
ing tie ; 

Where a cheering smile on ev'ry face, friendly words on ev'ry 
lip, 

Are inviting each lone wanderer from joy's full bright cup to 
sip; 

Where one and all seem drawn together by an invisible hand, 

And where all sad thoughts are charmed away as by a good 
fairy's wand ; 

Where the sick, suffering, are tended with such very gentle 
care, 

That who are the sick and suffering very rarely does appear. 

In fact it is a home-like dwelling where we all with truth can 
say, 



84 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

We really do not appear to think that we are from home 

away. 
What is the potent power that brings about this happy 

result ? 
What is the hidden charm that bids every lonely heart exult ? 
Who can define the reason why this home-like feeling does 

pervade ? 
Why so quickly from each lonely mind saddest thoughts re- 
cede and fade ? 
Why those who guide this contented home considerate always 

are? 
Why so many worthy friends they have who are dwelling 

near and far? 
The potent charm, dear friend, is this: we are in a bright 

Christian home, 
And strong bonds of love unite all hearts wherever good 

Christians roam. 
We commence each day by offering thanks and praise to Him 

above, 
So this blessed home-like feeling is the outcome of Christian 

love. 

A MEMORY. 

Here I have spent some happy days, 

It is a cheerful Christian home; 
Around my heart contentment plays, 

And here I hope again to come. 

Here I have spent some happy days, 

The memory will linger long ; 
May God guard you in all your ways, 

May hope and faith continue strong. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 

Here I have spent some happy days; 

May you from care be ever free, 
When o'er the past you mem'ry strays, 

I hope you will remember me. 

If to my land my heart is wed 
And I again should never roam, 

If thus your land I no more tread, 
We will meet in our Father's home. 



85 



86 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness.— Prov. 
xii, 17. 

During my visit to Boston I called one day on a promi- 
nent minister, for the purpose of interesting him in the Jew- 
ish question, and in the course of conversation he asked me 
whether I had met a converted Rabbi who was in the city. 
I answered, no, but said I would be very pleased to do so, 
and on leaving he gave me his address. I sought him out at 
the earliest opportunity, and he described himself as having 
been a Rabbi in Roumania ; that he had been baptized in 
London, and had been ordained there as a minister of the 
gospel by the Btshop of London. I subsequently discovered 
he was an impostor, but unfortunately not until he had swin- 
dled me out of a considerable sum of money. I mention this 
fact because it gives me an opportunity of referring to the 
mission societies to the Jews. As I have before said, it is a 
tradition among them that it costs about $10,000 for every 
honest conversion. Whether this is a fact I can not prove, 
but I am certain, from my knowledge of the feeling among 
Jews, these societies are doing far more harm than good to 
the cause of Christ. Most of their converts come from the 
very poorest class, and I honestly believe many make a pro- 
fession of Christianity from motives the reverse of pure. The 
so-called converted Rabbi of my experience was a proselyte 
manufactured by the London society, and since his baptism 
has been going about various American cities under different 
aliases swindling people. 

The only Jewish mission I have visited is the one in New 
York, conducted by the Rev. J. Freshman. Now Mr. Fresh- 
man and his wife are on my list of friends, and I trust they 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 87 

will not feel wounded at the remarks I am about to make. I 
t^m telling the truth as I feel it in a spirit of love, and no 
human friendship, by the grace of God, will ever prevent 
me doing this. I believe Mr. Freshman to be a thoroughly- 
consecrated minister, and. earnest in his work, but I can not 
commend it for more than one reason. In the first place, on 
a recent visit to his Sunday-school I found he considered it 
necessary to have a policeman present to keep order. Now 
I maintain if order can not be kept by the power of the Holy 
Ghost it is time the school was closed, as it tends to bring the 
religion of Christ into contempt with the large body of Jews, 
when they see it is necessary, in a place dedicated to worship, 
to have an officer of the law present. 

In the second place you may as well expect to light a city 
with a candle as expect to reach and convert the Jews by the 
means of missions. Thirdly, it is like putting an engine to draw 
a wheelbarrow as to put a converted Jew whose heart is filled 
with a desire to serve the cause of our Lord and Saviour in a 
back street in New York City, when almost the whole Christian 
world is in darkness as to its duty to the Jew. Let every 
converted Jew, who has an earnest desire to benefit his breth- 
ren after the flesh by bringing them to a knowledge of our 
Saviour, concentrate all his energies in the direction of awak- 
ening the Christian world to the fact that they owe a distinct 
duty to the Jew, which is not performed by simply subscrib- 
ing a few paltry dollars to maintain a mission ; and when we 
succeed in doing this by the grace of God, more Jews will be con- 
verted in five years than all the societies combined have conver- 
ted in fifty. Let the Jewish children be drawn into the churches 
where they will have the opportunity of seeing Christian 
children and of hearing the word of God taught in an atmos- 
phere that is serene and calm, and they will go away impressed ; 



88 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

but this can never happen in a mission where it is necessary 
to have an officer of the law present to keep order; and, to be 
brief in this matter, the missions are so utterly repulsive to the 
Jews that they should at once be closed. These remarks may 
appear very sweeping and dogmatic, but they are expressed 
after calm, deliberate, dispassionate thought and with a full 
knowledge of the feeling of Jewish people, and I say em- 
phatically, close all the separate Jewish missions, which are as 
gall and wormwood to the Jews and are " a snare and stumb- 
ling-block ; " let evangelical w r ork to them be associated with 
the churches, and let every sincere follower of our Lord con- 
sider himself or herself a missionary to them and to all people. 

We read in Zeph. iii, 19, 20 : "And I will get them praise 
and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 
At that time will I bring you again, even in that time that I 
gather you : for I will make you a name and a praise among 
all the people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity 
before your eyes, saith the Lord." 

When I read these words I thought how I had uncon- 
sciously been fulfilling prophecy when I wrote the pamphlet 
in Boston, calling attention to some of the virtues of the Jew- 
ish race; and are they not deserving of "praise and fame," 
when we recall their sobriety, industry, hospitality, and, 
above all, the loving kindness they exhibit one to another in 
their home-life. 

I do not wL-h to imply they are free from faults. Recently 
a clergyman said to me, " You know a Jew does not think it 
a crime to cheat a Christian?" That is a circumstance I do 
not know. When we consider how they have been oppressed 
and plundered during the last eighteen centuries, even to the 
present day in some countries, can we wonder if, in a spirit 
of desperation or retaliation, we sometimes hear of a dishonest 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 89 

Jew? The real secret of their success in business is their 
sobriety and industry. It is an open secret that there are 
many Jewish usurers, and for them I have the utmost con- 
tempt, and this feeling is shared by every right-minded Jew. 
This recalls to memory a circumstance that happened when 
I was on the Industrial Committee of the London Jewish 
Board of Guardians. We were soliciting subscriptions, and 
one day we received a check for one hundred pounds (about 
five hundred dollars). It was from a noted money-lender, 
and a very animated discussion arose as to whether we should 
receive it or not, even though it was for charitable purposes, 
considering the source from which it had come ; but we finally 
determined to do so. But this fact will illustrate the feeling 
of honorable Jews toward usurers. 

The great fault of the Jew is undoubtedly, in the present 
day, that of worshiping Mammon instead of God. It is the 
same now as in olden times. Deut. xxxii, 15: " But Jesh- 
urun waxed fat, and kicked : thou art waxen fat, thou art 
grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook 
God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his 
salvation." 

When in Australia I found far less religion among the 
Jews than in England ; and in America far less than in Aus- 
tralia. I can only assume that we are now in the latter days, 
and that they are in a fit state to receive preparation for re- 
ceiving the glad tidings of the gospel. I said before, the Jew 
is naturally reverential. What I meant to imply is this: You 
very seldom hear a Jew scoff at religion, or ridicule those who 
are religious ; this is not so with the Gentile, as I often hear 
the name of God taken in vain and ridicule applied to those 
professing religious feeling. And beyond this, at stated periods 
of the year, nearly every Jew will attend the synagogue. 



90 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

I know the Christian world is discouraged as to the conver- 
sion of the Jew, but should they be so? We must know it 
is only by the grace of God that a Jew is ever converted, 
when we read in Romans xi, 25: "I would not, brethren, 
that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should 
be wise in your own conceits ; that blindness in part has hap- 
pened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come 
in." From this verse we know that the Jews as a body will 
not be converted until God's own good time; but this does 
not excuse us from doing all in our power to prepare them 
for this good time that I believe is fast approaching. If we 
view the facts dispassionately, are we justified in being dis- 
couraged at non-success in the past? A gentleman said to me 
the other day : " You know it was the Gentile dog for a long 
time, and then it became the Jew dog." From this remark 
we can arrive at the secret. If you have a dog, and have 
been illusing him for a considerable time, and your conscience 
suddenly awakens to the fact that you have been acting cru- 
elly, and you then endeavor to atone for your brutality by 
kindness, it will be a long time before you persuade that dog 
you are sincere. Now, the Christians have been illusing the 
Jew for centuries, even to the present day in some coun- 
tries, and they have lost confidence in you, not only from 
your treatment of them, but also from hearing of your 
drunkards, your divorces, and your wife-beaters; in fact 
they say, if God is love, we must have God because we 
have love. The fact is, they judge you by the worst of 
those among you, as you do them; and as you think most 
Jews are dishonest or usurers, they think most Gentiles are 
followers of Christ, and have the bad qualities I have enu- 
merated. The question is, how shall we dispel this mutual 
misunderstanding? There are good Jews and good Chris- 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 91 

tians ; how shall we bring them together? In the first place 
the Christians (I am referring especially to sincere followers 
of our Saviour) should endeavor to atone for the cruelty of 
their forefathers by striving to influence public opinion, and 
thereby stop those sayings and doings that are hurtful to the 
feelings of the Jew T s ; and when they have won their confi- 
dence by kindness they should invite them to discuss dispas- 
sionately the truths of the Holy Scriptures. At present the 
Jew has only half the loaf, and I do not think it will be a 
matter of great difficulty preparing him for the acceptance of 
the whole, but this they will only accept in God's own good 
time. A clergyman said to me only yesterday : "If the Jews 
would only forgive us for the sins of our forefathers, we 
might make some progress. " I say they are willing to 
forgive if you will treat them as brethren and prove your 
sincerity by your actions. - 

And this I say again emphatically, Close all the Jewish mis- 
sions, which are as gall and wormwood to the Jews, and are "a 
snare and stumbling-block;" let evangelical work to them be 
associated with the churches, and let every sincere follower 
of our Lord consider himself or herself a missionary to them 
and to all the people. 

I have recently been reading a work entitled, " The Jews, 
or Predictions and Fulfillment," by Samuel H. Kellogg, D.D., 
published by Anson D. F. Randolph & Co., of 38 West 
Twenty-third Street, New York. It is a work that every 
Bible student should have in his library. I will give a few 
extracts from it : 

" Most will have heard the story which is told, if we mis- 
take not, of Frederick the Great, that he once asked a Chris- 
tian minister to give him an argument, at once brief and con- 
clusive, for the truth of the Christian religion. He was an- 



9 2 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

swered, * The Jews, your Majesty.' The world, with all its 
conceit of wisdom, has not yet outgrown this argument. And 
it will need, we are confident, resources far beyond the re- 
sources of the ablest of our modern unbelieving critics to break 
or even weaken its force." 

The prophet Isaiah told the Jews they were as a nation 
God's witnesses; Is. xiii, 10. How true this is we have 
already seen. Whenever we see a Jew, we see a visible and 
irrefragable proof both of the inspiration of the Scriptures of 
the Old and New Testaments, and of the true Messiahship 
of Jesus of Nazareth. Beyond all doubt, in a manner most 
impressive, as it is also perfectively level to the comprehension 
of every one, does the Jew witness, in every land where he is 
found, for the God of the Bible, that he is indeed the true, the 
omniscient, and living God, who has spoken to us u in times 
past by the prophets, " and also " in these last days" by His 
Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. But even more than this is true. 
For if the Jew is in truth an unimpeachable and unanswer- 
able witness for God as regards His revelations in the past, 
it follows that he is no less so as to the revealed purposes of 
God concerning the future. For, as he is a visible proof of 
God's faithfulness to His word thus far, he becomes a certain 
pledge and evidence that God may be expected to be no less 
faithful to his word in the future. 

"The world then, we may safely conclude, has not yet seen 
the last wonder in the history of this wonderful people. As 
they have for centuries been a wonder as a nation under the 
divine wrath, and so also are they yet to be, and more conspic- 
uously than ever, a wonder of divine grace." 

''According to the teaching of all the prophets, and the no 
less explicit teaching of the Apostle Paul, the conversion of 
the Jewish people will mark a turning point in the history of 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 93 

the world. In Is. lx, a passage in which we have the author- 
ity of that apostle for understanding the people addressed to 
be the Jewish nation, the effect of the Jewish conversion 
upon the Gentile nations is described in the following glow- 
ing terms, Is. lx, 1-3, 5 : 'Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, 
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, 
the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the 
people ; and the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall 
be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light 
and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Then thou shalt 
see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be en- 
larged ; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted 
unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.'" 
"All which and much more the Apostle Paul sums up in 
the exulting question, Romans xi, 12, 15: * If the fall of 
them- be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them 
the riches of the Gentiles ; how much more their fullness. 
. . . For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of 
the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from 
the dead ?'" 

" As the threat of hardening was fulfilled, and is still visi- 
bly in full force, fulfilled before our eyes in the present spirit- 
ual condition of the Jewish nation, so also shall the promise 
receive a no less literal and illustrious fulfillment. Not for 
nothing is Israel preserved through all these years separate 
among the nations. All Israel shall be saved, and all the 
world shall see it and adore and worship Israel's God. But 
this is not all that is predicted with regard to the future his- 
tory of Israel. The same prophets who predict a future rever- 
sal of the spiritual curse of hardening, which has for ages rested 
on the Jew, no less plainly and explicitly predict the reversal 
of all temporal curses which were denounced, and have so 



94 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

literally fallen upon the nation, the land, and the Holy City. 
Yet, strange to say, many of our modern theologians, having 
come thus far with us in the argument, admitting fully that 
the Word of God does undoubtedly predict a future national 
conversion of the Jews, insist that we must stop here, and 
that the promises so abundantly made of restoration to the 
Holy Land, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and other temporal 
blessings to be given to Israel in the latter days, are not to 
have any literal fulfillment in the Jewish nation whatever ! 
Israel, some say, is to be understood in such passages as denot- 
ing the New Testament. That is, although, whenever we find 
a curse to come upon Israel in their being cast away from 
their own land to be miserable exiles among all nations, that 
curse is, without doubt, to be understood and applied in the 
most literal sense to the Jewish nation; yet, whenever we find 
a blessing promised in the form of a removal of these same 
temporal penalties from Israel ' in the latter days,' the bless- 
ing is not to be understood as having any reference to that 
suffering nation, but is to be applied to the Church of the 
New Testament — in other words, to us Gentiles." 

" As there were predictions of a spiritual curse, fufilled in 
Israel's blindness and hardness of heart, so there is a corres- 
ponding prediction of the removal of that curse, of a time 
when (2 Cor. iii, 16) * Israel shall turn to the Lord, and the 
veil shall be taken away.' Again, as there are promises of 
temporal penalties to come on the people and the land, entirely 
distinct from those concerning their spiritual abandonment, 
so we find prophecies of the removal of those temporal pen- 
alties forever, in God's appointed time. Was Israel to be 
'scattered' among all nations? It was also written, Jer. 
xxxi, 10, ' He that scattereth will gather him.' Were they 
to be cast out of their land ? It stands no less plainly written, 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 95 

Jer. xvi, 15, * I will bring them again unto the land that I 
gave unto their fathers.' Was that land to be ' bereaved of 
men' and ' desolate?' It is written with the same luminous 
plainness, Ezek. xxxvi, 3, 9-11: ' Ye mountains of Israel hear 
the word of the Lord ! Thus saith the Lord God : Because 
they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every 
side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the 
heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of the talkers. . . . 
Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I am for you, . . . 
and ye shall be tilled and sown : and I will multiply men upoji 
you, all the house of Israel, even all of it, and the cities shall 
be inhabited and the wastes shall be builded : . . . and I will 
settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you 
than at your beginnings. ' " 

" The Apostle Paul has settled the question as regards 
the conversion of national Israel in his plain words in the 
Epistle to the Romans, chapter xi. In that chapter he takes 
a passage out of the very heart of Isaiah's great prophecy con- 
cerning Israel in Is. xl-lxvi, namely, lix, 20, and takes it for 
granted that the Israel therein spoken of is the Jewish nation, 
even that same people whose ' casting away was the reconcil- 
ing of the world.' If, then, w T e are thus required on inspired 
authority to interpret * Israel' of the Jewish nation, when the 
spiritual promises are concerned, what right has any one to 
assert that when in another part of the same integral proph- 
ecy, "even the immediate context, temporal blessings are prom- 
ised to the same Israel which has all along been the subject of 
prophecy, now, of a sudden, * Israel' no longer means the 
Jewish nation, but the Church of the New Testament? Such 
an interpretation, so far from having the endorsement of Paul, 
contradicts his plain teaching, and would, we are persuaded, 
have filled him with amazement." 



96 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

"But, besides, the practical bearing of this question of the 
literal interpretation upon missionary work in general is of 
special consequence in relation to evangelical work among 
the Jews. Men often go to the Jew and begin to argue with 
him, as well they may, by calling his attention to the stern 
literality with which the predicted curses have fallen on his na- 
tion ever since the rejection of the Messiah. He, perhaps, re- 
joins by referring also to those other predictions which tell of 
a coming restoration of his nation to the kingdom of the 
Messiah, when they (Deut. xxvii, 13) ' shall be the head and 
not the tail/ as now." 

"He is told at once that he quite misunderstands that class 
of prophecy, and they refer only to spiritual and not to any 
temporal blessings; that, in fact, they are fulfilled and are 
fulfilling in the Christian Church, and they are not for Israel 
as a nation at all, not even when repentant. Is it strange 
that an exegesis like this, which insists upon applying to the 
Jew all the curses on Israel in a very literal sense, and yet 
upon appropriating to the Christian Church all the blessings 
promised Israel in a spiritual sense, and then tell the Jew that 
that is the doctrine of the gospel — is it strange that it has not 
commonly convinced the average Jewish mind?" 

I might go on quoting indefinitely from a work that is 
pregnant with truth concerning fulfilled and unfulfilled proph- 
ecy, and also abounding in facts relating to the present con- 
dition of the Jews. I sincerely hope every Bible student will 
read this work. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY 97 



CHAPTEK X. 

1 John iv, 1. — Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits 
whether they are of God : because many false prophets are gone out 
into the world. Matt. x. 42. — And whosoever shall give to drink 
unto one of these little onesa cup of cold water only in the name of 
a disciple, verily I say unto you, He shall in no wise lose his reward. 

My experience with the so-called converted Rabbi, referred 
to in the last chapter, was the most painful of ray Christian 
life. Often, during my association with him, a feeling of the 
greatest repulsion came surging over my heart, such a feeling 
as I have never experienced toward any one before or since. 
It is necessary that I should dwell on this circumstance, as he 
•is doing incalculable harm to the cause of Christ. He is, I 
have every reason to believe, pursuing the same course still. 
I will say, as a warning to my readers, if they should come 
in contact with him, that he is a very clever, plausible fellow, 
a good Hebrew scholar, and fond of talking of the Talmud ; 
he can speak French and German, in fact every thing is in 
his favor as a deceiver except his appearance, and people 
will turn from him naturally if they obey their instincts. 
A lady connected with the Jewish section of a mission in 
Boston related the following circumstance to me after he had 
been exposed: She was teaching a class of Jewish boys one 
Sunday, and he was teaching another. She had read a chap- 
ter in the Bible, where the faJse prophet is referred to, and one 
of her scholars, with the unerring instinct of childhood, 
pointed toward him and said, "Is he one?" I think we 
sometimes let the passage, " Judge not that ye be not 
judged " make cowards of us. We forget that Christ also 
said, "Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of 
wolves ; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as 
doves." There are many painful circumstances I now recall 

7 



98 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

connected with him. One day he suddenly turned to me, 
and, putting his lips to mine, gave me a kiss. I used to 
speak very often to him of my beloved mother and sisters. 
A short time before this my sister had written I had made 
our name " a by- word for every one to scoff at." I was feel- 
ing very unhappy at the thought, and, one day, immediately 
after offering up a prayer in my room (he was very fond of 
praying), he said an inspiration had come to him to write to a 
lady he knew in London to call and comfort them. He also 
induced me to send a message to this lady. Whether he 
posted the letter I do not know. While anxiously awaiting 
an answer, which never came, I wrote the following lines in 
my journal. They are a true index of my feeling at the, 
time: 

THOUGHTS. 

A message came over the sea, 

From a friend I had never seen ; 
It was a sweet message to me. 

I would near this friend I had been 
To say, I thank you, God bless you 

For your kindly errand of love. 
I know you are gentle and true, 

And reward will come from above. 

A message came over the sea, 

From a friend I had never seen ; 
You are now no stranger to me, 

To my loved ones kind you have been, 
And I know you love the old race 

From whom our loving Saviour came, 
Who gave us our spirit of grace, 

I thank you, dear friend, in His name. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 99 

A message I send o'er the sea 

To a friend I have never seen : 
May life full of happiness be. 

To my loved ones kind you have been, 
I thank you again and again 

For your kindly errand of love ; 
You lessen my burden of pain, 

And reward will come from above. 

A message I send o'er the sea 

To a friend I have never seen : 
May God's best blessing be with thee, 

His faithful servant you have been. 
Friend, I w r ill come over the sea, 

Your prayers shall mingle w T ith mine, 
That the truth my loved ones may see, y 

That into their souls light may shine. 

During the whole of this time I had retained my assumed 
name. Since the period my darling sister had written in 
reference to our name, the thought constantly with me was, 
that I had been cowardly in endeavoring to avoid contempt 
and reproach (the natural feeling in a Jewish mind toward 
a convert) and leave it to fall on those it was my duty to 
protect, and I determined to resume my own name. After 
I had written, "I will come over the sea," my heart seemed 
to be breaking in the very despair of homesickness. This 
feeling was produced partly by the painful experience I had 
recently gone through, and also by the want of sympathy and 
hospitality on the part of the Christian people in Boston. I 
had gone there with several letters of introduction, was 
there several weeks, had spoken in several of the churches, 



100 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

had come into contact with scores of Christian people, and 
not one had called on me in my loneliness as a stranger in 
a strange land, and no one offered me the slightest hospital- 
ity except one lady, for whom 1 have the greatest brotherly 
affection. To the Christians in Boston, as to those in Phila- 
delphia, I say : 

Open your doors to those who come 
In our dear Saviour's sacred name ; 
He surely says we are to blame 
If we welcome not those who roam. 

Forget not our dear Saviour came 
To succor the sad and the lost — 
Then look not closely at the cost, 
If you do kindness in His name. 

About this time I met a Christian gentleman from Scot- 
land, whom I had previously met at Northfield. The hearti- 
ness of our meeting, the warm pressure of his hand, the "I 
am so glad to meet you," with all his heart and soul in his 
words, was such a contrast to the reception usually accorded 
me, it was like an oasis of confidence in a desert of doubt; it 
seemed like a breath from the dear old country. Shame, 
shame, Christian people of America, for your want of thought 
in treating a stranger with such cruel inconsiderateness ! If 
it is an evidence of your usual reception of young converts, 
I do not wonder so many become backsliders, and that the 
saloons and places of ill-fiame are so well filled. Here they 
do give their patrons a warm reception ; you most often 
freeze the heart's blood by coldness and distrust. You say : 
"Well, we have been deceived so often." It is no excuse. 
Is your faith in our Saviour so small as to make you think if 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 101 

you do kindness in His name any harm can result to your 
self, even should the recipient be unworthy? 

After consulting with my Scottish Christian friend, and 
having an idea of settling down to study, I determined to 
return to the land of my birth, and, acting on this decision, 
within a month I landed in Liverpool, with heart full of joy 
at the prospect of seeing my loved ones. 

I left my home in sorrow and sadness, 

And now return radiant in gladness. 

Sad were my thoughts when I left the old land, 

Now they are turned by a heavenly hand, 

Thro' my soul rings melody pure and sweet, 

Like clear music in a heavenly street. 

From the North to the South seeking I went 

For that sweet peace we call perfect content; 

I went o'er the mountains, down valley and dell, 

Seeking a charm my great grief to dispel ; 

I sought from the white man and from the black, 

I sought on the race course and in the card pack, 

I sought on the 'cycle and on the horse, 

I sought on the water and where the dogs course, 

I sought at the concert and at the play, 

I sought every way my grief to allay ; 

But to find content I was unable, 

And thought it must be nought but a fable. 

At last I found it in the gospel word, 

Having heard it preached in the house of God. 

Peace unspeakable there is in the thought, 

Christ Jesus our free salvation has bought. 



102 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 



CHAPTEE XI. 

For lam riot ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the pow- 
er of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew 
first, and also the Greek.— Rom. i, 16. 

I arrived in England after an absence of nearly three years, 
having traveled round the natural and spiritual worlds. I 
might say that during my wanderings I had explored the 
regions of gloom and the realms of glory, having been deep 
down in the depths of grief and despair, and risen to the 
highest altitude of joy and happiness. What was the secret 
of the change? Simply this, I felt at peace with God. I 
realized he had made a provision for mankind whereby they 
may become reconciled to Him, however low they may have 
sunk in the depths of sin and degradation. This is an open 
secret to all who will read his Word in a spirit of prayer and 
contrition for past sins. O, men, men, why do you devour 
the bitter herb of skepticism and unbelief by reading ribald 
literature, when you can feed on the sweet fruit of faith and 
hope by reading His revealed Word ! One is Dead Sea fruit, 
the other is the sweet honey of the promised land. One is 
the deadly upas tree, which will poison while you eat ; the 
other is the pure manna of the wilderness, which will supply 
every want. Why surround your immortal soul with the 
cypress emblem of death and the grave, when you can illumi- 
nate it with "the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morn- 
ing Star," symbol of light and life? Why take the devil, 
who is ostensibly leading you by the paths of pleasure only 
to wreck you on the barren shores of despair, when you can 
take the Saviour, who, even if He takes you by the valley of 
long suffering, will lead you to a land where " all its ways 
are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace." You 






FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 103 

who are dead in your sin? can only be quickened into life by 
God's Holy Spirit. Go on your knees and pray for an under- 
standing heart. One moment of honest repentance and the 
prayer, " God help me, a sinner," and all is forgiven. Be 
your faith but as "a grain of mustard seed," it will ripen 
into "the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long- 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. ' 
Will all these witnesses come suddenly? No. They will 
only come to remain if we feed on His Word and do His will. 
Will we never lapse into sin? Yes. Many and many a 
time when we least expect it. It is only by constant watch- 
fulness, by prayer, and by avoiding the occasion of sin that 
we gain the victory. u But the path of the righteous is like 
the shining light, that shineth more and more into the per- 
fect day." " If any man sin, we have an advocate with the 
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who was delivered for 
our offenses and raised again for our justification." 

On arriving in London I received the most loving of loving 
welcomes from all my relatives, near and distant. My old 
friends and companions also received me kindly, in fact not 
one turned away without shaking hands. I called on many 
at their offices and visited several at their homes. That there 
was a difference in their manner is not to be denied. How to 
describe it I can not ; the alteration was probably as much on 
my part as on theirs. My family was perfectly willing I 
should remain at home, and follow my own religious ideas, on 
one condition, namely, that I made no mention of them. 
This I could not do, as events were constantly occurring 
which prompted me to speak of the hope that was within me, 
and we finally concluded it would be for the happiness of all 
that I should again leave home. That my action in following 



104 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

out my religious ideas bad not lessened their love for me was 
evidenced by the kindly consideration displayed by one and 
all during my visit and also on parting, when I came away 
laden with presents and good wishes. My visit was also sat- 
isfactory in another respect, it lessened the grief of my 
mother and sisters, inasmuch as it proved to them that I had 
not forfeited the esteem and regard of my old friends ; however 
much they disagreed with my conclusions, they gave me credit 
for having acted conscientiously, and proved this by their 
reception. Relatives and friends, if you read these pages, 
accept my love and my greetings. I love you because you 
love me, and above all I love you for your sympathetic Jew- 
ish hearts, and by the power of this love my voice will 
always be raised in defense of the dear old race should occasion 
demand. u Home, sweet home;" no words sweeter except 
Christ Jesus. " Home, sw r eet home ; " I never realized the 
charm of thy beauty, with all its love and confidence, until I 
had contrasted it with the coldness and distrust of strangers. 
Mother and sisters, beloved, beloved, never doubt my love, 
never doubt my anguish for the sorrow 7 1 have caused you, but 
I was without hope, feeling condemned in the sight of God ; our 
mutual love could not give me peace, and I had to purchase 
it at the sacrifice of your loving, tender hearts, by accepting 
our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, w r ho 
lived, was crucified, and was raised from the dead as a propi- 
tiation for our sins, and through Him, and Him only, have I 
any hope of being justified in the sight of God. 
******** 
The reception I met with from Christians in England was 
exceedingly kind and cordial, and when compared to that ac- 
corded to me in America, it was as light is to darkness. When 
I returned here I brought a most kindly worded letter of in- 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 105 

traduction from a prominent clergyman, connected with Jew- 
ish work in London, to a well-known minister in New York, 
a personal friend of his ; a private letter was also written. 
The result was an introduction to several of his congregation, 
a shake of the hand all round, but not the slightest ofM* of 
hospitality. I have already commented on this failure of 
American Christians to honor letters of introduction in a be- 
coming manner, and will say a few final words. They are as 
much bound to honor a letter of introduction, delivered by a 
stranger from a friend in a foreign land, with kindness and 
hospitality as a banker is bound to honor a draft from a for 
eign correspondent with currency, or declare themselves 
bankrupt in these qualities. I confess to craving for human 
sympathy, and say, emphatically, I expect hospitality when I 
come properly accredited, and this no sincere follower of the 
Lord Jesus Christ should refuse, but that I am making a bid 
for it by publishing these experiences is not true ; had I de- 
sired only this I would have remained in England. My object 
is a higher one. I believe our Heavenly Father has given 
me a work to perform which no one else can accomplish, and 
I protest against the unsympathetic treatment of strangers 
by the Christians of America. That my case is no excep- 
tion, I know to be a fact, and I utter this protest in the name 
of our common humanity. Some will say it is pique that 
suggests these thoughts. Call it by what name you will, I 
feel a righteous indignation. With few exceptions I have 
met with nothing but distrust and coldness instead of warmth 
and sympathy, and, in addition to this, my feelings have been 
constantly lacerated by hearing contemptuous remarks, often 
by professed Christians, applied to the race from which I 
spring, and to which those I love best on earth belong. God 
knows, if I consulted my own wishes, I would bury myself in 



106 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

retirement, but something within tells me I dare not do this. 
Often have I been on the point of resigning the struggle when 
a sympathetic word or act has given me fresh courage ; this, 
and the knowledge that, with all my faults and failings, God 
kn(Tws I am sincere, alone induces me to persevere. Nearly 
every young convert requires human help in his efforts to 
build himself up in His most holy faith. Christ himself said: 
" Simon, Simon, behold Satan hast desire to have you, that 
he may sift you like w T heat ; but I have prayed for thee that 
thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted strengthen 
thy brethren." I repeat, no real harm can come to us if we 
do kindness in the name of the Saviour ; and even if we have 
been deceived, let us not grow callous and thereby bring dis- 
credit on His name by coldness to those who are craving for 
the warmth of sympathy, and cau>e them, if their faith be 
weak, to fly to the world for consolation. Some will say, you 
can not hope to succeed by reproach; this is true if reproach 
is expressed in a spirit of resentment. I freely admit I have 
at times felt a burning indignation and resentment from 
the causes I have referred to. I say again, Christian 
people appear to forget that our beloved Saviour, Moses, 
the patriarchs, the prophets, King David's line, and the 
apostles, came from the race they often speak so contemptu- 
ously of, and to whom they owe, by God's grace, all they 
have of religion. But, whatever my feelings may have been, 
I can honestly say I am now writing in a spirit of love, 
being too conscious of my own failings to dare utter re- 
proaches in any other spirit. I recognize as a Christian I owe 
a distinct duty to the Jewish race. This thought applies 
to every Christian, and our duty we must perform, what- 
ever their disposition may be toward us. In my desire to 
do this I have endeavored to prove what a wealth of love 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 107 

and sympathy lies imbedded in the Jewish nature, which, 
if brought within the influence of the teachings of Christ, 
will accomplish a vast work in the furtherance of His king- 
dom. I have striven, also, to bring to the knowledge of the 
Christian world their failure in duty to the Jewish people, 
and trust, by the grace of God, that I have succeeded. A few 
weeks ago I wrote a pamphlet calling attention to the sub- 
ject, and said therein : 

' ' Having been a constant attendant at the revival meet- 
ing held at Louisville, I found a burden of pain, which I 
thought had lifted from my heart, returned with renewed 
force. I refer to the duty I owe to my Jewish brethren. A 
few days since I wrote to this effect : ' Dear Brother Moody, I 
believe thousands of Jewish hearts have a craving that noth- 
ing but a knowledge of and a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ 
can satisfy. If my voice could ring out all that is in my 
heart, ten thousand tongues would not express all I would 
utter for the purpose of awakening the Christian Churches 
from their lethargy on the subject. But I can do little; you 
can do much. Will you bring the weight of your influence 
to bear on this subject? ' I make this same appeal to all sin- 
cere followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one way to 
reach Jewish hearts, it is contained in the word ' love.' 
Preach about them, and speak about them in loving kindness, 
and I believe that thousands of Jews will be brought to a 
knowledge of and belief in our Lord. One remark I hear 
constantly made by Christian people, l It is impossible to 
reach the Jew.' I offer these thoughts as evidence that such 
is not the fact." 

Sooa after my arrival in Louisville, I introduced myself 
to Bishop Penick, and called his attention to the subject, and 
he immediately published the following letter, which, I trust, 



108 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

will impress itself on the heart and conscience of every sin- 
cere follower of our Lord : 

To the Israelites of Louisville : 

In the name of God the Father I extend you a most sincere and 
heartfelt invitation to meet me in St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal 
church (located on the northeast corner of Second and Kentucky 
streets) on next Tuesday, at 5 p. m., when I purpose, by the help of 
God, to have a service whose aim shall be the better understanding 
and helping of each other to get nearer to God. I am sending this 
invitation because I feel, as a Christian minister, I owe a debt of grati- 
tude to your nation that I have done but little to pay; and now my 
heart's desire and prayer to God is, that He will guide us to the truth 
and enable us to honor Him. I hope that this meeting will be most 
open and frank. We can never help unless we understand each other, 
and while I feel but little fitted to undertake so great a work, I know 
that God can and will order every honest effort for the good of His 
children, and if I know the depths of my own heart, this is an honest 
effort to help those who want to get nearer to Him. I therefore send 
out this invitation in sincerity and love, trusting to His might to rule, 
and wisdom to guide us. 

Yours, in the love of Israel's God, 

C. Clifton Penick, 
Rector of St. Andrew's P. E. Church. 

Louisville, Feb. 17. 

[From the Louisville Courier-Journal.] 
A congregation that about half filled the house assembled 
at St. Andrew's church, Second and Kentucky streets, at 5 
o'clock yesterday afternoon, to hear what Bishop C. C. Penick 
might have to say to the Hebrews, for whose benefit the meet- 
ing was held, and to whom the Bishop had extended a cordial 
invitation to be present. A portion of the congregation was 
composed of the members of St. Andrew's church, but there 
were also a good many Israelites in attendance. 

Services were begun promptly at 5 o'clock, with a moment 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 109 

of silent prayer, after which Bishop Penick stated that, as so 
many of the children of Israel had come out on his invita- 
tion, he would state that nothing discourteous should be said. 
He had selected the hymn best suited to the occasion, the 
418th, taken from the 97th Psalm. It was sung to the air of 
''Old Hundred," after which the 46th Psalm was read, fol- 
lowed by prayer. 

Bishop Penick then stated that he had written the re- 
marks he expected to make, as he considered the subject of 
the greatest importance, though such was not his custom. 
"After I have concluded, any Israelite present is invited to 
make suggestions, or make remarks. I only request them to 
limit themselves to about five* minutes, as we have not much 
time, and I do not wish to keep you long." 

The Bishop then spoke as folio w T s : 

" Recently an Israelite said to me : ' Whatever the course 
of the Jews tow T ards Christians may be, the Christians are 
bound by their loyalty to Christ to do every thing in their 
power for the helping of the Jews.' To this I replied : ' Yes, 
and I think we are doing our duty to them ; our Bible is 
placed within their reach; our churches are ever open for 
their coming, and they know that more than a hearty wel- 
come awaits them there.' ' But what have you done to make 
them realize this?' My answer was : ' I have done nothing 
directly, because I have such a sacred regard for the deep 
convictions of the Jews as to the truth of their position and 
belief, that I have not dared to intrude within precincts to 
them so hallowed.' His answer was : ' Bishop, are these truly 
your feelings in this matter ? ' ' They are/ ' Well, the Jews 
do not so understand nor believe it ; they think that Chris- 
tians do not want to get near to, nor commune with the Jews, 
on account of a long and deep-rooted race prejudice.' 



110 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

" Men and brethren, when I heard this statement it aroused 
me to the very depths of my being. The realizing that I was 
being so misunderstood by God's own chosen people, to whom 
we ow 7 e every thing that we count sacred in religion ; who are 
the fathers, the prophets, the inspired writers, the chosen 
witnesses, who gave to us Him whom we call Lord and 
Saviour, and furnished all the witnesses of His life, death, 
power, resurrection, ascension, and promises to come again 
into glory and salvation. The thought that in some myste- 
rious way Satan had so placarded the deepest and truest mo- 
tive of my heart, as to make them mean an accursed lie to 
the people of whom God says, ' I will bless him that blesseth 
you, and curse him that curseth you/ This thought filled 
me with holy indignation; I asked my heart, * Why should 
this thing be?' and almost simultaneously came the resolve: 
By the help of God it shall be no longer ; I will arise and 
wipe this lie from the appearance of reality — I will show 
these people, as God gives me power, that down amid the 
deepest, truest, and strongest things of my life beats, day 
and night, a mighty longing for the highest good of God's 
chosen people. 

"To do this I sought the quickest and most direct way 
that occurred to my mind, trusting to the power of the liv- 
ing God to do His own work in his own way, but praying that 
I might be humble and true enough to be used by Him to 
His glory. I wrote that invitation to this conference, which 
means nothing more nor less than the honest, open truth 
stands out from its face and breathes in its spirit. In my 
heart, if I know it, there is not a shadow of desire for unhal- 
lowed and profitless controversy. We are too near God for 
any such thing. If the living God does not move in our 
hearts to do the right thing, all the babblings of controversy 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. Ill 

or vain learning, for ages can not do it. Again, I am not 
here with any spirit of a proselyter. He whom I follow hath 
uttered such burning words of indignation against this spirit 
of proselyting, that shame and confusion must cover him who 
dares attempt it. Hear JHim, Matth. xxiii, 15: 'Ye compass 
sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made ye 
make him two- fold more the child of hell than yourselves.' 
No, no, no ! We are standing here before the majesty of 
Jehovah, and the cry of my heart is: Speak, Lord, for Thy 
servant heareth ! God, who is felt in every throb of every 
heart in every bosom here, is able to bend these hearts as the 
heart of one man to His own omnipotent will, and O, for the 
glory of His name, for the honor of the God of Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob, I pray that His Spirit may reveal His 
will! 

" I have been asked: ' Why do you call a meeting of such 
nature in your church, where Israelites naturally feel a deli- 
cacy in discussing w r ith you?" I answer : ' This was the only 
place I had at my disposal, and I did not call it for discussion 
or disputation. I invited you here to tell you what you had 
heard, and to ask you what I can do further towards carrying 
us nearer the truth, and doing away with all unnecessary prej- 
udice and misunderstanding V And right here let me quote 
from a letter received yesterday, and give one word of com- 
ment. I most heartily and sincerely thank the writer of this 
letter, for he has wonderfully helped me. I shall count all 
honest expressions of opinion, however pungent or strong, 
favors or helps. The soldier who is not willing to be wound- 
ed, or even die for a cause that he believes sacred, is not fit 
to wear a victor's crown. All that God calls on me to do or 
suffer in this cause, I pray for grace to fulfill, in the spirit of 
Him who suffered for me, accounting myself paid a thousand- 






112 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

fold if God will keep me humble and willing, and glad to 
be used by. Him to bring some good to my fellow-man, and 
some deeper love for Him in the hearts of men. The writer 
of this letter says : * Now, however sinful it may be in us to 
believe in or affirm the divinity of tie Son, to us, the inher- 
itors of the light, there is no wrong in your affirming it; for 
you are the descendant of men who worshipped Thor, and 
Wodan, and Frey, and Frigga, and Iduna or Saxnot, and 
Iamin, and Hertha, or whatever the idols were named.' 

"I answer: * Yes, our fathers did worship idols, it mat- 
ters not what their names; and but for that man of the tribe 
of Judah named Jesus, we would probably be doing it yet;' 
and I do every Israelite in this land the credit to believe that 
he had rather see me ' clothed and sitting at the feet of Jesus' 
than to see me tattooed, wrapped in skins, groveling in sin 
and superstition, bowing down in caves and caverns to the 
idols of my ancestors. The writer could not have touched a 
deeper chord in my heart than this; he shows me the pit 
from which I was dug; nor could he have said any thing that 
would make me more gratefully and humbly kiss the pierced 
hand of that Son of Israel who lifted me from where my 
forefathers groveled, and stands me here before you, as you 
see me this day. And let me say, whether he be divine or 
not, as we thus most firmly believe, it is among his followers 
that God's ancient and chosen people find the least oppression 
and happiest homes, and were His followers truer to Him 
you would find mightier favors at their hands and vaster love 
in their hearts for you, His kinsmen ' according to the flesh.' 
The follower of Him who would wrong you must first wrong 
Him ere you feel the blow. Oh that the spirit of God may 
make every child of faith realize this, and bring His people 
together by bringing them all to God ! Amen, amen. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 113 

" I now invite you to tell me honestly and sincerely if 
there is any thing I can do, or that I can get Christians to do, 
in this matter ? Let our speeches be limited to five minutes, 
and let each speak as in the presence of God, who is here in 
our midst, and*to whom we must give an account." 

Bishop Penick continued: "I invite any Israelite to tell 
me honestly if there is any thing I can do in the matter, or 
get Christians to do. I think it a burning shame for people 
to stand apart when they should be close together. I invite 
you to speak freely. I want help." 

For some time none responded, but at length a young man 
arose in the middle of the church, and said that he had been 
converted. Said he: "My heart was bowed down with sor- 
row, and I found no consolation in the Jewish religion. I 
read the gospel and found relief in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
whom I believe to be the Son of God." He referred to race 
prejudice against the Jews, persecution, etc., and said he had 
companions whom he wished to bring to a knowledge of 
Christ. " Not one Jew in ten thousand," he said, "knew any 
thing about Christ. He wanted Christian ministers to go to 
work and explain these things to the Jews, speak well of 
them and treat them well." 

No one else showing a disposition to say any thing, the 
530th hymn, "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah," was 
sung, and Bishop Penick thanked those who had attended. 
"I have done what I could/' said he, " and have made an 
honest effort. The result rests in God's hands. The Holy 
Spirit has the power. Let Him do what seemeth best. If 
any man or woman of the seed of Israel shall hereafter wish 
to communicate with me I will be most happy to do all I can 
to assist him or her." 

After prayer the congregation was dismissed. 



114 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

To Bishop Penick I offer my thanks for the noble efforts 
he has made on behalf of God's ancient chosen people, and 
also for his kindness and generous hospitality to myself. May 
God bless and prosper him in all his works. 

And now, once more confessing my manifold sins, and testi- 
fying to my belief that I have forgiveness with God through 
our Lord Jesus Christ, I commend these pages to the guid- 
ance of His Holy Spirit, saying with St. Paul : " But this one 
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and 
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press to- 
ward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in 
Christ Jesus." 

PBESS ON. 

Your words my heart and soul inspire 

To press on for the victor's crown ; 
And ere I from this earth retire 

111 spread abroad our Lord's renown. 

Yes, I will strive with all my might 

To bring lost sinners to His feet ; 
Then they will say in pure delight, 

His is the only mercy seat. 

Fll pray for power from on high 

That I may make it clear to all 
That sinners need not weep or sigh 

If they obey the Saviour's call. 

With gentle words I'll strive to prove 

How erring is the life they lead, 
If they do not all sin remove 

By taking Jesus in their need. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 115 

I'll strive to prove He is the way 

Where they may find sweet peace and rest ; 

I'll plead with them not to delay 
Accepting such a gracious guest. 

Why do they linger in their sin ? 

Why will they be the deyil's slave ? 
When they may this sweet life begin, 

If they in Jesus' blood will lave. 

To those who doubt of Israel's seed 
I'll plead with them to read the Word, 

And then, if they will only read, 
Many will say, He is our Lord. 

Your words my heart and soul inspire 

To press on for the victor's crown ; 
And ere I from this earth retire 

I'll spread abroad our Lord's renown. 

ROMANS, XI. 

1. I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For 
I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Ben- 
jamin. 

2. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot 
ye not what the scriptures saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession 
to God against Israel, saying, 

3. Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine 
altars; and I am left alone,* and they seek my life. 

4. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved 
to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the 
image of Baal. 

5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant accord- 
ing to the election of grace. 



116 SOME THOUGHTS ON LIFE'S BATTLE. 

6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works ; otherwise grace 
is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; 
otherwise work is no more work. 

7. What then ? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh 
for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 

8. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of 
slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not 
hear; unto this day.) 

9. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, 
and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: 

10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow 
down their back alway. 

11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God 
forbid : but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gen- 
tiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 

12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the 
diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their 
fullness ? 

13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of 
the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are 
my flesh, and might save some of them. 

15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the 
world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 

16. For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the 
root be holy, so are the branches. 

17. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a 
wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest 
of the root and .fatness of the o\\ve tree; 

18. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bear- 
est not the root, but the root thee. 

19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might 
be graffed in. 

20. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou 
standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 

21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he 
also spare not thee. 



FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. 117 

22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them 
which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in 
his goodness : otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted 
in: for God is able to graff them in again. 

24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by na- 
ture, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how 
much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into 
their own olive tree ? 

25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this 
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits ; that blindness 
in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be 
come in. 

26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written; There shall 
come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from 
Jacob: 

27. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away 
their sins. 

28. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: 
but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

30. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now 
obtained mercy through their unbelief: 

31. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your 
mercy they also may obtain mercy. 

32. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might 
have mercy upon all. 

33. the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge 
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past find- 
ing out ! 

34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been 
his counsellor? 

35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed 
unto him again ? 

36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things : to 
whom be glory for ever. Amen. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

029 822 641 8 



